Trainer Lloyd Kennewell has bigger autumn ambitions in mind for Loud Charlie following his breakthrough victory at Sandown.

Having just his second career start, Loud Charlie claimed the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Plate (1300m) on Wednesday and Kennewell believes the gelding has the scope to progress into stronger company as the carnival approaches.

“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 (at Flemington on February 14) is potentially next, but I want to make sure he pulls up good first and then work out where we go with him, but he’s pretty promising.”

Ridden by Jamie Mott, Loud Charlie ($3.50) scored by a length from Saludar ($6) with the $2.70 favourite The Benchmark another three-quarters of a length back in third.

The gelding had finished third on debut behind Asakura at Terang earlier this month, and Kennewell took confidence from that form when Asakura went on to win at Geelong on Monday.

“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 (Asakura) winning easily and it looks a promising horse,” Kennewell 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.”

Kennewell admitted Loud Charlie had shown ability at home but hadn’t always put it together on race day.

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

“He would gallop really well on the training tracks, but in his jump-outs he was letting me down and also on wet tracks.

“We get a lot of wet tracks at Cranbourne. We tried him out the back a few times and he wouldn’t finish off, but when I took him to Caulfield this prep, he trialled up really good and I knew we were right to go.

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

“He can be a little bit keen in the run, but good horses adapt, but I elected to push forward today looking for that victory.”

Those following Loud Charlie’s progress toward races like the CS Hayes Stakes can monitor the latest betting markets for the race as the autumn carnival builds.

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