He’s Charlies Angel alright!

It was a salute that meant so much.

It was not a Group 1, but that is not the point. Instead it was a two-year-old maiden race at Cobram, Victoria, today and the win with debutant Hes Charlies Angel meant so much to his breeder-owner-trainer and driver Charlene ‘Charlie’ Gusman.

It was Gusman’s first winner this season, but that is not the point either.

Hes Charlies Angel is named after Gusman’s late father, also know as Charlie, who sadly passed away from a short battle with cancer in June. And that is whom the salute was for.

“I saluted to my Dad . . . I cried a bit last night and cried a bit this morning before the race,” said Gusman.

“I actually called Dad’s phone this morning and told him that Will was racing at Cobram today.

”That’s just something that I would always do . . . I would call my Dad before and after every race and he would tell me what I did wrong but I think he would have been pretty happy with that result today.”

Hes Charlies Angel, as you may have already guessed, is affectionately known as Will and Gusman fell in love with him the day he was born.

Gusman was given on offer for the son of Sweet Lou as a yearling that she declined.

“I was offered good money for him as a yearling and Dad told me to sell him and when I didn’t, Dad just shook his head,” recalled Gusman.

“I’m just smitten with this horse and always have been since the day he was born.

“I’ve bred from my mare Shes Norma Jeane and had three fillies and all I wanted was a boy and I got it.

“I did, however, order a white sock and a blaze but I got Will who has none of that.

“That was the reason why I sent my mare to Sweet Lou . . . I went to Woodlands Stud in New Zealand and saw Sweet Lou and what a stand-out type he is with all of his markings.

“But I’m more than happy with my boy.”

And deservedly right.

The gelding’s first-up performance in race conditions was phenomenal.

Being caught outside the leader after some early scrimmage, Hes Charlies Angel was forced to do it the tough way.

That did not seem to bother him, however, as after the first two quarters were clocked in 28.1 and 33 seconds, Hes Charlies Angel kicked to the lead rating the final two quarters in 27.7 and 26.6 seconds.

This gave Hes Charlies Angel a winning margin of 22.2m over his nearest rival, Ideal Pace, and a winning mile rate of 1:55.4.

For some perspective, the Cobram track record for the 1670m distance is 1:53.3 which Higherthananeagle set as a four-year-old at that track in 2018.

“I had no idea we were going that quick, he just does it so easy,” said Gusman.

“He did it untouched, he just has raw ability.

“There were a few people standing around the track that were cheering me on, all of the tracks attendants congratulated me and I had some of my family supporting me too and it was really, really nice.”

Hes Charlies Angel has earned a small reprieve for this effort.

“He will spend a few days at the water walker and have a little break,” said Gusman.

“The Vicbred Platinum series will be his next aim.

“He is paid up for the Breeders and Sires but we will just see as the time comes.”

Hes Charlies Angel gave his Art Major dam a 100 per cent strike rate from starters to winners with all of Shes Norma Jeane’s four foals having won.

Shes Norma Jeane has a yearling filly by Bettors Delight, a weanling filly by Downbytheseaside and is in foal to Captaintreacherous.

The future looks bright for Charlie and her angels – watch this space!

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink