Charge Forward (11-1) underlined his stallion potential with a career-high win in the $375,000 (Australian funds) sprint at the expense of Spark Of Life, a talented son of Slew O'Gold horse Nine Carat.

The runner-up defended his Galaxy crown with honor. Burdened by topweight of 57.5kg (127 pounds) on the heavy ground, the 11-4 favorite found the task of conceding the year-younger colt 5kg too great. He went down fighting by a neck.

The wet track was the major factor in the 1,100 meters run in 1:04.76, taking 2.5 seconds more than the race mark.
Brief Truce 5-year-old Red Oog (15-1) grabbed third, ahead of veteran Bomber Bill (60-1) who turned in an enormous run after blowing the start.

Charge Forward has had his near misses and added to his sire's sequence when second to Dance Hero in the 2004 Golden Slipper Stakes (Aust-I). Face Value met a similar fate in a Caulfield Guineas, as did Kylikwong in a Victoria Oaks (both Aust-I).

The winner has earned more than $1.25 million for a group put together by Peter Horwitz, owner of many top performers including Triple Crown hero Sir Dapper and Juggler. He is trained by John O'Shea and was partnered in the Galaxy by Darren Beadman.

Arrowfield secured standing rights for the horse and the Roberto grandson will join the roster at the Hunter Valley farm in the spring. His dam, Sydney's Dream, has a filly foal by Fusaichi Pegasus and is back in foal to Red Ransom.

Bred by Phillip Esplin, Charge Forward was a $100,000 yearling at the 2003 Magic Millions. His Royal Academy half brother sold less than 24 hours earlier than the Galaxy to Melbourne agent Damon Gabbedy for $1.2 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.