As the native-bred three-year old Classic campaign continues to unfold, the WB Racing- owned Will In Charge announced his presence by scoring an impressive victory in a maiden condition event over 1,600 metres at Caymanas Park on January 31.

Ridden by three-time champion jockey Dane Nelson for trainer Robert Pearson, Will In Charge got a good break but was taken off the pace and held into fifth position behind Prince Kamali (Odean Edwards up), Bounce under Oneil Mullings, Piano Man with Paul Francis, and The Promised Land with Wesley Henry astride for the first half of the race.

The Ham Stables Limited-bred Will In Charge then made his winning run when hitting the front full of running approaching the final bend before he opened up a good lead on his 14 rivals turning for home.

Although shortening a bit in the final stages of the race, the chestnut colt by Adore The Gold – Gem Lea by Meadow Flight had done just enough to hold on by one-and-a-half lengths from the fast-finishing Golden Glory, under Aaron Chatrie.

Mr Doitbetta, with Bebeto Harvey aboard, ran well for third position ahead of Piano Man in fourth. The winning time for the mile was a good 1:40.3 minutes behind moderate splits of 23.4, 46.2 and 1:12.2 minutes.

Pearson said that he was a bit disappointed with his charge’s performance, as he expected more from the chestnut colt. “I expected a better performance from Will In Charge as I didn’t like the way how he was coming back in the final furlong of the race.

I don’t think that all is well with him and so we have to go back to the drawing board and see what the problem is,” Pearson told The Complete Racing Guide.

“The plan coming into the race went exactly how we wanted it, as in to get a good break and send him through to the lead at the half-mile and take it home from there, but I didn’t like the last furlong when he started to come back as he was one-paced,” Pearson continued.

Nelson, on the other hand, said that it was a good run by Will In Charge. “I thought he (Will In Charge) ran well despite coming back in the last furlong or so. He did just enough to win and that’s important… winning.

There is a lot more room for improvement and in time I think he will develop into a nice racehorse,” said the man racing fans dubbed ‘The Warrior Chief”.