Brilliant Return Brando

New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate Brando (4 h Savabeel - Saoirse, by Iffraaj) resumed in the best possible way when winning the Phill Cataldo Bloodstock $40,000 Open 1200 metres on 1 October at Te Rapa.

Having stretched out like a future Group 1 contender to win over 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day, Brando subsequently won the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, before finishing runner-up to Bonham (Per Incanto) in the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Trentham, during his three-year-old season.

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

Signalling his readiness when coasting home for fifth at the trials on 21 September at Cambridge (poly-track), and smooth in the prelim, Brando confronted a well-rounded field and rose to the task in determined manner.

“It was a really good win from Brando,” said Champion Trainer Jamie Richards. “I'd been happy with the way he'd been coming up, with things not quite going to plan since he went to Australia.

“I probably made the mistake of thinking I could improve him by putting blinkers on, but he got to Melbourne, had no luck, and then to Wellington on the back of a long campaign and he just over raced.

“We've brought him along nice and quietly and have been patiently waiting for the right time to let him go. Thankfully that worked out well today. He was able to get a good run from an ideal draw (5), with a nice weight (54kg), and having Mascarpone (Shooting to Win) in the race carrying 62kg was a big help to him in keeping the weights down.”

Ridden for the first time on race day by Craig Grylls, Brando began smartly before settling fifth and sighting daylight on straightening he continued lifting in a close finish.

At his best on good ground, Brando negated Slow7 footing to score in 1:12.8 for the 1200 metres and returned $4.00 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“He stuck it out well and he's a colt that has shown plenty of ability,” Richards said. “I was really pleased for him to start by winning over 1200 metres, with a view to stepping up in distance.

“We'll take a few days to firm up plans for Brando, but the Red Badge Sprint (Gr. 3, 1400m) on the last day (16 Oct.) at Hastings, a race we won with Te Akau Shark (Rip Van Winkle), could be a nice option.”

Reflecting on the start of the season for Te Akau, Richards said it had been frustrating.

“On the back of such a good season, it's certainly not our most comprehensive start by any means,” he said.

“It was pretty wet in September with wet training tracks and Matamata being without a swimming pool for a time just sets everyone back a bit, and it's only half a length here or there and that's can be the difference between winning and losing.

“But the morale is good, the horses are coming on and the staff are working really hard. Everyone is doing their best, which is all I ask for, and we've got a good number of really nice horses that are ready to go on better tracks.”

A beautiful looking colt, Brando won all four trials before finishing second on debut to eventual 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) favourite Tinker Mcphee (Nostradamus), and has now won four of his eight starts.

“He's as nice a colt as you'd ever wish to see, and I thought he showed a hell of a lot of courage to win today,” Ellis said. “He had to pick up between runners and it was his first start since March, so it was a very encouraging effort and even though a bit big in condition, he really tried hard.

“It was a great job by the team at the Colt Barn, run by Reece Trumper and Sarah West, and we have a great association with Craig Grylls, who I thought rode him extremely well.

“Craig's father Gary (Grylls) rode my first Group 1 winner when Cosmetique won the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie, and he won a lot of races in the tangerine.

“Brando is by our champion sire Savabeel, out of mare by great sire Iffraaj. He's got the ability to match his looks and I'm thrilled for everyone involved in the horse.

“I bought him at the Ready to Run Sale, and I've been putting a lot of work into studying the catalogue for the Ready to Run Sale in November at Karaka. We'll be there with the intention of buying some nice horses.”

Brando was strapped by Reece Trumper.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz