Direct Charge turned the tables on his rivals in the G3 VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) when the final day of Flemington’s four-day carnival began in earnest.

Direct Charge (2c Charge Forward – Lady Of Choice by Redoute’s Choice) repelled late closer Crack A Roadie to win by a half-head.  The Robbie Laing trained colt led home a quinella for Arrowfield sire Charge Forward.

Third placed Shamus Award (Snitzel) completed the trifecta for Arrowfield ahead of Diva Dee (Encosta De Lago).  The first four home also filled out the quartet the MVRC Inglis Banner (1000m) on Cox Plate Day.  Crack A Roadie won that day while Direct Charge was an unlucky fourth.

“I thought he could win,” Laing admitted.  “He was three-deep in the lead and only got beat by two lengths at Moonee Valley.  It was an enormous run.

“He is a big, rangy fellow at 16.1 hands with a massive stride.  The idea was to let him roll along up near the lead because he doesn’t have an electric finish at the moment.  But he’s is a promising horse.”

Direct Charge was a $105,000 purchase from the draft of Huntworth Stud at the 2012 Inglis Classic yearling sale.  “Our target the whole time since we bought him has been the Inglis Classic,” Laing revealed.  “He will run late in December or early January and then go to the Classic.”

His dam Lady Of Choice has thrown minor winners by Red Ransom, Hussonet and Lonhro.  The mare is an unraced half-sister to G3 MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes winner Burrito (Marscay) and she foaled a Street Sense filly in September.

The $250,000 Inglis Classic race is scheduled for January 19.  The 2013 edition of the Inglis Sydney Classic yearling sale will be split over two books – Summer Book (January 20 & 21) and Winter Book (June 23).