Charm Stone and Skirt The Law have fought out the finish in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield, with the Mick Price & Micheal Kent Jnr-trained filly getting the better of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner.
From when markets opened on Wednesday until the jump on Saturday, both the winner and runner-up fought for favouritism, but the smart punters loaded Charm Stone late and landed the spoils.
The daughter of I Am Invincible had to make her run from the 600m mark – but to her credit – she sustained her run and held off the challenge of the Tony Gollan-trained filly.
After suffering with injuries after her two-year-old season, Charm Stone has returned in fine style and appears to have a big spring preparation ahead of her, with possible targets including the Golden Rose and Coolmore Stud Stakes to come.
2023 Quezette Stakes Replay – Charm Stone
After picking up their second winner of the day, Micheal Kent Jnr spoke about the win on behalf of the Price & Kent team.
“She’s a very nice filly,” Kent said.
“She’s really matured up mentally this preparation. She’s a lot cooler and calmer and she is in for a big preparation.
“We’ve gotta win a Group 1. For fillies in the spring there’s a lot of smaller stakes options, but the big ones are the Golden Rose and the Coolmore (Stud Stakes).
“(We) think her best trip is 1200m, but if we can stretch her out to 1400m, maybe an In Secret type of preparation.”
Damien Lane brought up his third winner at Caulfield on Charm Stone, and he spoke post-race.
“She’s really grown into her frame mentally,” Lane said.
“She’s always been a lovely filly from day dot, but she’s starting to put it together now.
“Show Royale was not taking me far enough and I had to put the jets on from the 500 (metres), and her closing speed from the 500 to the 100 was brilliant.
“To then maintain that speed when she was challenged was really good and I do think she is really special, this horse.
“I’m not sold that she is a 1400 metre horse, but I’ll let the stable see what they think after she cools down.”
Charm Stone is now a $12 chance in futures markets for the Coolmore Stud Stakes with most online bookmakers.
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