Charmed Harmony has completed a gutsy performance to lead from start to finish and win the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) from a fast-finishing Tashbeeh this afternoon.

Charmed Harmony beat a talented field to the line in the Sandown Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Allocated the central barrier 8, Charmed Harmony completed an ideal jump and was immediately led to the fore of the field of 12 by jockey Glen Boss; setting a reasonable early tempo alongside the likes of Burning Front and Star Rolling.

Receiving a reasonably soft run on pace, the Hussonet gelding peeled off the fence rounding onto the final straight and kicked up a gear; pulling clear of his rivals and continuing to find to the line; withstanding a late charge from Tashbeeh.

Boss backed the ability of the six-year-old when asking for an extra effort with 400m to run and was rewarded for the decision when Charmed Harmony continued to find on his way to the line.

“He’s a really great horse, I actually really love him,” Boss said.

“He’s just so brave – he loves to get out there and break the field up a bit and he’s one of those horses you don’t go too slow on.

“You take the turn of foot away from them (the field), they have to do a bit of work just to get to you and then they have to pass you while he’s still kicking.

“He’s been up for a long time but I’ve never seen him look so good, he just looks magnificent.”

Trainer John Sadler revealed he was close to scratching Charmed Harmony from the Sandown Stakes this afternoon and confirmed he will return to the paddock with a view towards bigger races in 2016.

“He’s just a marvel this horse, he really is. He’s been so good to our stable,” Sadler said.

“I have to be very honest in saying this but I wanted to scratch the horse because I was concerned about the ground.

“Today’s track is a little bit firm for my liking and it’s about the longevity of horses and looking after them. I’d just love to see it with a bit more moisture in them.

“He’s just a horse that bowls along in front. He goes really well for him (Boss) and he’s just become such a trier – the conditions didn’t suit today.

“I think probably a Stradbroke is getting a little bit carried away but I’d like to give him a good break and maybe bring him back for either the Winter Plate series or go up to Queensland and have a crack at a couple of races.”

In taking out the 2015 Sandown Stakes, Charmed Harmony has now posted an impressive twelve wins and five minors through only 28 competitive starts.

2015 Sandown Stakes Results