Winning Te Aroha Double - Bravo Brando

Brando  (3 c Savabeel - Saoirse, by Iffraaj) laid claim to three-year-old stakes' races when winning the $10,000 Mainfreight Maiden 1400 metres on 28 October at Te Aroha. 

A beautiful looking colt, Brando won all four trials before finishing second on debut to 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) favourite Tinker Mcphee (Nostradamus) in the Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 10 October at Matamata, with the filly subsequently finishing third last Saturday when running the fastest last 600m (33.9) in the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Te Rapa. The race was won by Te Akau trained Need I Say More (No Nay Never), currently favourite for the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m).

So, the form was strongly evident and the $1.30 favourite delivered after working at both ends of the race. Awkwardly drawn in barrier 12, Brando began smartly but rider Danielle Johnson, looking to take luck out of the equation, had her hand forced to secure a spot outside the leader. He cruised up taking over at the 300m and appeared set for victory, but again had to dig when respected second favourite Deep Beauty (Deep Field) came to challenge.

While Brando took a long head margin victory, the pair had four and a quarter lengths over the remainder which emphasised their dominance. With Brando kicking back as they sprinted clear.

“He would be so much better chasing them,” Johnson said. “But, as soon as he saw the horse to his outside he fought back and did it easily.”

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

“I bought the colt at the Ready to Run Sale this time last year and we have a lot of happy owners on course and celebrating,” Ellis said. “He's had two starts for a second and a win, and I thought it was a good effort from a wide draw. He had to use plenty of petrol early to get over and it was a beautiful ride by Danielle (Johnson), and what you come to expect from our premiership leading rider. 

“Rather than go to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas, we will set him for the Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) in January at Trentham. We've won that race recently with Hall of Fame (Savabeel) and Age of Fire (Fastnet Rock) and it looks an ideal race for him.”

By six-time Champion Sire Savabeel (Zabeel), a Cox Plate (Gr. 1, 2040m) winning three-year-old, who became an Australasian sire sensation and closing in on $100 million progeny earnings with 36 Group 1 winners and 185 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.

Trainer Jamie Richards, who notched his 500^thwin last Saturday when Need I Say More won the Sarten Memorial, said: “He kicked on strongly when the other horse came to him and showed he wanted the win. 

“He is going well and it was a good tough effort. The 2000 Guineas (7 Nov.) will come around a bit quick, so we will take our time with him and aim to have him ready for the Levin Classic. It worked out well and I'm very pleased for the owners.”

Brando was strapped by Mette Mosebo.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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