Te Rapa Treble - Win No.2 Brando

Brando  (3 c Savabeel - Saoirse, by Iffraaj), an exquisite example of the thoroughbred, stretched out like a future Group One contender when winning the $30,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds 3YO 1200 metres on Waikato Cup Day at Te Rapa.

Having laid claims to three-year-old stakes' races when winning the Maiden 1400 metres on 28 October at Te Aroha, trainer Jamie Richards immediately prescribed a freshen-up with a view to contesting the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) in January at Trentham - a race Te Akau has won recently with Hall of Fame (Savabeel) and Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock).

Given a first-class ride by Opie Bosson, Brando was able to track the pace comfortably in fourth passing the 800m, still four lengths off leader De La Terre (Reliable Man) at the 200m but equal to the task when charging home for victory.

“He's really starting to put things together now and developing into a proper racehorse,” Bosson said. “I think he's got a bright future ahead of him.”

On Good3 footing, Brando ran the 1200 metres in 1:10.9, last 600m in a tick over 33, and paid $2.40 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It looked an ideal race for him and with a view to where we want to be the way he relaxed and found the line was really encouraging,” Richards said. 

“He showed a bit of grit and determination to get over the top of De La Terre. He's no mug and it was a good quality field. He has improved with a bit more time. He's by the right stallion, got a nice pedigree, and now it's all in front of him.”

Richards suggested a suitable lead-up race for Brando could be the Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, ahead of the Levin Classic on 16 January.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run, owned by the Te Akau R2R Colt Breeding Syndicate, he was bred at Fairdale Stud, from whom Ellis also purchased $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) and Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner and Champion Two-Year-Old Cool Aza  Beel (Savabeel).

“We've got so many good people in the ownership of this colt and it's such a thrill to see so many of them at the races and enjoying everything themselves,” Ellis said.

“To see the colt win like he did, pin his ears back, was very exciting and Jamie (Richards) has done such a good job in managing and training him.

“Buying a Savabeel colt like this is hard to find and what he's done so far shows he's got a really good future.”

Ellis also thanked the Waikato Racing Club for hosting a fantastic day of racing, and congratulated new Chairman John Elstob for his ownership success in both Sword of State and Brando, and sponsor Dave Smith from Dunstan Feeds.

“John and his partner Denise are huge supporters of Te Akau Racing. His company, SVS Laboratories, are fantastic sponsors in the industry. He has given an enormous amount of time as a director of the Waikato Racing Club and we wish him all the best in the role of Chairman. We should all be very grateful of his input.

“To the sponsors Dunstan, Brando has been fed Dunstan Feeds from the day we bought him until this morning, so thank you to them too.”

By six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), a Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old, who became an Australasian sire sensation, with over $100 million progeny earnings, including 36 Group 1 winners and 187 stakes winners. 

Like dual NZ Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands), winner of 12 Group 1 races, Brando is the first foal from a young Iffraaj mare, in turn out of a mare by Champion Sire O'Reilly (Last Tycoon). He carries a lovely balance in his sire lines of Nureyev, a sire of sires and phenomenal influence of equine quality, and three-quarter brother to Sadler's Wells.

Brando was strapped by Mette Mosebo. 

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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