Lloyd Kennewell believes Loud Charlie has a bright future after breaking through at Sandown in just his second career start.

The gelding claimed the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Plate (1300m) and has immediately put himself on the radar as a possible autumn contender.

“I’m still not sure if he’s the full version of himself yet,” Kennewell said.

“Does he get to an Australian Guineas, I don’t know, but the CS Hayes Stakes is potentially next, but I want to make sure he pulls up good first and then work out where we go with him.”

With Jamie Mott aboard, Loud Charlie ($3.50) proved too strong, scoring by a length from Saludar ($6) with favourite The Benchmark finishing third.

Kennewell said the gelding’s debut run behind Asakura at Terang had proven stronger than first thought after that rival’s subsequent win.

“I was trying to work out how he got beaten at Terang and then on Monday we saw the formline come through with Mitch Freedman’s horse winning easily,” he said.

“He has been a work in progress and Ethan Brown did a bit of work on him and really liked him. He was meant to ride him but got suspended and Jamie was the lucky recipient of that.”

The trainer said Loud Charlie had taken time to mature and handle race pressure.

“He struggled going through the gears,” Kennewell said.

“He would gallop really well at home but in his jump-outs he was letting me down, especially on wet tracks.

“Once I took him to Caulfield and he trialled up well, I knew we were on the right path.

“I think a mile in time, but I don’t know how much further.

“He can be a little bit keen, but good horses adapt and today I rode him to win.”

Form students tracking his path toward the CS Hayes Stakes can check current online bookmakers for early markets.

The post Trainer has high hopes for maiden winner first appeared on Just Horse Racing.