Charlie Brother notches up sixth straight win, eyes start 100

Charlie Brother (blue) with brother Slim Sherman (red) after racing at Gawler on Wednesday.
Charlie Brother (blue) is pictured with Slim Sherman (red) after their race at Gawler on Wednesday.

Charlie Brother is showing that it is not time to retire just yet.

Stepping out for his 93rd start at Gawler on Wednesday Charlie Brother ($1.50) won by 3.5 lengths, beating home his brother, the Kevin Bewley-trained Slim Sherman ($5).

When the Dyna Double One x Stylish Fringe dog first joined the Jason Dolan kennel it came from circumstances that meant a change of scenery.

“In January 2022 I got a call from my friend and he said his dog has just had surgery on his hock,” Dolan said.

“A screw was placed in the area but he had to move the dog on from his current trainer and he didn’t know anyone who could take him on.

“I had a spare kennel at my house and I said bring him over and [we will] see what we can do.

“Four to five months later everything looked on track and we got the all clear and away we went to the races.

“First up he ran third over the 342m. So I was speaking to Cheryl Herman, a neighbour and a fellow trainer, and we decided to give him a run down the straight and he won in a very solid time.

“Over the 350m he ran 19.13 so the following week we dropped him back to the 300m up the straight and again he won and ran 16.88 so we knew he was back.”

Dolan only trains a maximum of five dogs at a time while working fulltime.

“Hopefully he just keeps doing what he loves for as long as he can,” he said.

“For me personally my goal is 200 starts for 50 winners and I think I’m not far away, 187 starts with 47 wins and 62 placings so far.”

Dolan said that the plan had changed for Charlie Brother following his recovery and off the back of his purple patch of form, having now won six straight.

“He has been great,” Dolan said.

“When he first came to me after having done his hock we took it slow and his owner Damian Shaw wasn’t sure if he would ever go back to the races.

“I said we will see and not rush him so we stuck with beach work, walking and bone radial work.

“At the start of the year, the plan was to get to 100 starts and get 25 wins then retire him.

“Since getting him we have spent a lot of time with him preparing him for GAP.

“He has really mellowed and he has now won six in a row and seven of his last eight, the other was a second.”

Dolan is confident the streak can continue for his chaser and will now target him for a contest over the Gawler 400m journey.

“He is open class at Gawler and Angle Park so most likely he will now head up to Murray Bridge maybe.

“Next month there is Mike Wittholz Mixed Masters Feature that we will aim for that his times put him around the mark.

“He can take a knock or two and still push through.”

Dolan understands that his chaser will tell him when to call time on a career of consistency (93: 26-20-19) with the milestone still in focus.

“Start 100 will most likely be his last at the moment,” he said.

“He is good but everyone knows once they turn four, they start to get those little niggles so we string his races out a bit to keep him fresh.

“When he does retire, he will make a lovely pet.

“He has gone from an over-the-top dog who was crazy at the track to a lovely calm dog.

“He just needed a smaller kennel and one on one time.

“He has been amazing for me and we have had a great adventure together.

“He will tell us when he is done.”

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