Bravo Brando

Stakes' winner and Group 1 placed Brando  (4 g Savabeel - Saoirse, by Iffraaj) enhanced his fresh-up record in the $55,000 HR Fiskens & Sons Open 1400 metres on 30 January at Ellerslie.

Winning fresh-up as a summer three-year-old and again beginning the season in October over 1200 metres at Te Rapa, Brando appeared in good order during an exhibition gallop on 19 January at Te Rapa, when tracked home by stable-mate I Wish I Win (Savabeel), who resumed with impressive win a day earlier at Trentham.

The ability to act first-up is a tremendous asset, indicating clean windedness, athleticism, class, quality, and other comparable adjectives, while also indicative of good training.

Brando had to be good to win. Posted wide on the pace, rider Opie Bosson had little option but go forward outside the leader, where in typical fashion he was able assist in buttoning off the tempo. But popped the question 200m out, Brando was full of life, quickly asserted a two-length advantage, and left his rivals in his wake. It really was an impressive performance.

“He'd had the big ‘gear' change, having his first run as a gelding which is obviously a big help to some horses, particularly as four-year-olds,” said trainer Jamie Richards.

“Outside the leader, he was in the perfect spot with the rail out 12 metres and he duly quickened up and won well.

“It's a good confidence boosting win for him and we'll get him home and have a look through the book for another suitable race.

“He's always been a horse that's shown plenty of promise, and he's quite effective right-handed, some of his best wins have been this way around.”

Without any major targets in mind, Richards suggested consideration to the WFA Group One Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 26 February at Otaki.

On Good3 footing, Brando ran 1400 metres in 1:23.6 and paid $2.30 & $1.60 as race favourite on NZ TAB tote.

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM at 2019 NZB Ready to Run, owned by Te Akau R2R Colt Breeding Syndicate, Brando was bred and sold by Fairdale Stud, from whom Ellis purchased $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner, now stallion, Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel).

“I had my doubts when seeing horses kick up inside him and being posted wide, but in the end he overcame that and really put paid to them,” Ellis said.

“He's competed in good races, looked terrific during his exhibition gallop and Opie (Bosson) was pretty confident he was in the right shape to win fresh-up.

“He's always been an incredibly good-looking and athletic horse, typical of the nicest Savabeel's, not too heavy, tidy and well balanced, a classic Savabeel.

“While he didn't quite have runs on the board at the highest level to remain as an entire, I think he still has a lot to offer as a gelding in Group races in the future.

“He's stabled at the Colt Barn, run by Reece Trumper and Sarah West. They're doing a great job, with recent winners I Wish I Win, Kabugee, Sword of State, and Brando was the 15^thwinner in the past fortnight for the stable, so that's good.”

Brando carries lovely balance in his sire lines of Nureyev (Northern Dancer), sire of sires, phenomenal influence of equine quality and three-quarter brother to Sadler's Wells.

Brando was strapped by Jamie Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz