Brando Storms Back To Form For Second Abernant
“Horses for courses”. It’s a quote that can relate to so many things but does ring true in racing terms. The great thing about British racing is that no two racecourses are the same, with so many tracks have plenty of characteristics that challenge horse and jockey. Newmarket tests the horses balance and poise with it’s undulations before they then have to race into a dip and finish up the hill. It can catch the very best out but Brando has relished the Rowley mile, having visited 3 times and now winning 3 times. Last year he kicked off a superb season with an impressive win in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes. So Kevin decided that why change a winning formula and went with the same plan for 2018. Brando showed he was as well as every and duly did the same again to win back to back Abernant Stakes.
Named after the great actor Marlon Brando, the equine Brando has proven to be a fitting tribute. His steady progression has seen his career start in lower grades before flourishing and really hitting the big time. Brando was always going to be a slow burner as the big and raw son of Pivotal looked like a 4 year old the day he walked into Hambleton Lodge. Steadily away his body caught up with his undoubted ability and Brando rose through the ranks. Once he took the 2016 Ayr Gold Cup, he had proved that he had conquered the handicap division so there was only one way to go. Group company was the next stop, he had already tested the waters and gained a group 3 success earlier in the year. When he finished 3rd in the Group 1 Champions Sprint, Brando really showed that he belonged at the main table of sprinting.
2017 was the year that was really set to test Brando. There would be no hiding place for him as he would face group competitors throughout the year. Kevin decided to start out in the Abernant Stakes and Brando duly obliged, showing his class to win the Group 3 with relative ease. It was the perfect start and set him up well for the year ahead. Unfortunately a poor run at York was then followed by missing Royal Ascot due to the yard’s closure. It was frustrating for connections but Brando made up for lost time when finishing 3rd in the July Cup. He had matched some of the very best sprinters around and now it looked as though success at the very top level was within his grasp.
France would be the scene for his greatest success to date. The Prix Maurice De Gheest, run over 6 1/2f, would see Brando storm through the field, cutting through is rivals like a knife through butter. With 1f to run he was still hard on the bridle and would go on to quicken up to win impressively. It was a great day but unfortunately he wouldn’t match it for the remainder of the season. Haydock, then a step up to 7f in the Prix Foret before rounding off in the Champions Sprint were not disasters but Brando didn’t show the same sparkle he had done in earlier in the year. In fairness to the chestnut they all came in quick succession which is hard to do at any level but at Group 1 standard it is a huge ask. The enforced break in mid season was probably the reason for this but also Kevin decided that a small MOT over the winter would probably help too. Brando had a small wind op, something that had been done before, with Kevin aiming to have a clear run with him through 2018 and ensuring he could perform to his very best.
World Cup night in Dubai was the plan for most of the winter with the Al Quoz sprint being the option. Brando did well throughout the winter months and looked set to travel to compete on one of racing’s biggest stages. Obviously it all depended on how Kevin felt the horse was and in the end there was a final piece of work to find out before Brando would set off to travel. Unfortunately he didn’t quite gallop like he can do and the feeling was that he just wasn’t 100% right, something that is a bare minimum to compete at the highest level. Disappointed but not deterred it was immediately decided that Newmarket was the place then, with Brando attempting to defend his title.
Two weeks in racing can be a like a lifetime and following the World Cup Brando really began to shine. The entry was made for the Abernant and it was now Brando was sparkling at home. Tracey who looks after him was adamant that a corner had been turned and the real Brando was coming out to play. Despite him thriving the declarations showed that he would need to be back to his best as this year’s renewal looked to be one of the best in recent times. Brando was the star sprinter in the field but a big French challenge came in the form of Le Brivido, 2nd in the French Guineas and impressive winner of the Jersey stakes in 2017. Throw into the equation older stars like Gordon Lord Byron and Magical Memory, young improvers Dream Of Dreams and Spirit Of Valor, then quality handicappers Sir Dancealot and Projection, it was easy to see that the Abernant was a stern test this time around.
All the talk was about Le Brivido who was seen as possible the next star of the sprinting division. Not that that bothered Kevin, Pete and Angie who felt Brando was as good as ever. He was the one who had nothing to prove and so regular partner, Tom (Eaves), went out full of confidence. Pace was always looking like an unknown on paper and so it proved as soon as the stalls opened. Tom had no other option than to hold his mount up and although Brando actually jumped best of all, the handbrake was immediately applied. Nobody really wanted to go on and it was Spirit Of Valor who ended up in front but was quickly overtaken when Projection pulled his way to the front after 1/2f. Le Brivido had jumped well but was soon taken back and so Tom locked on to his heels with Brando racing at the rear of the field. For the quality of the race there was little pace on and this ensured the field were well bunched up. Once everyone got shuffled around and settled down they raced towards the far side rail. Brando was into a nice rhythm and settled well into the race.
Sir Dancealot was perched on the outside of Brando from the off and was racing quite keenly for the first couple of furlongs. Fighting his jockey he was trying to go quicker which caused him to roll around and hang. Tom could see this and was doing everything to hold his ground, not wanting to get caught on anyone’s heels and risk interference. Fortunately there aren’t many sprinters bigger than Brando and he stood his ground, keeping cover behind the favourite but having enough of a gap once the opportunity came.
Little changed up front and the steady pace continued as they moved past the 3f marker into the second half of the race. Still very little separated the 8 runners and it was hard to decide who was going best. Brando had travelled well but Tom was in no hurry, waiting patiently to play his hand. With the field now racing into the dip the pace finally began to pick up as Projection strode on in front, rolling down the hill. With 2 1/2f to run this move now posed the first questions of the field. Le Brivido was in touch and stalked leaders but now he was going to have to prove if he could match a sprinter’s speed.
The field moved past the 2f marker and what the crowd saw must have given them a thrill with all 8 runners looking like they had a chance. Brando was still the back marker but now the field had spread across the track with almost all the runners in a line. Tom was still anchoring his mount and doing everything to continue getting a lead. Projection was still leading and so far he had repelled the threat posed to him. Sir Dancealot was beginning to motor down the stands side. Tom now sensed that those he had been following, like the favourite, were not going to take him any further. Angling out he went with his rival and with a small nudge Brando quickened up. Those who had given chase to the leader were now beginning to back pedal and the race took a complete change in complexion.
Sir Dancealot was coming with a big run and looked a huge danger as they hit the rising ground. A quick look to his inside though and you could see the yellow and purple silks or Brando, who was coming through travelling hard on the bridle. The final furlong was all to play for and they started the uphill finish with Projection still holding the lead, although looking like a sitting duck. Tom had a decision to make, he had a horse full of running but when did he want to press the go button. Fortunately the pair have a great relationship and Tom knows Brando better than anyone. Playing around with him and cajoling Brando, Tom was leaving it as late as possible. There was just around 3/4 furlong to run when he unleashed Brando who immediately quickened up and grabbed the lead. Sir Dancealot had been alongside the chestnut throughout the contest and was trying cling on to him but Brando’s acceleration was too much. He moved clear but in typical fashion he decided that that was enough. Tom knew this but they enough of an advantage that he didn’t have to get serious. It was hands and heels to ensure Brando maintained his run to the line. The little easing up did give Sir Dancealot chance to close to gap but Brando had it all under control to take his second Abernant by 3/4 length.
It was a very taking win and the way that Brando travelled and quickened up showed that he is still at the peak of his powers. Kevin has a great record in the race, with this win taking it to 4 wins in the last 5 years (he didn’t have a runner in it in 2016). It is a great starting point for the season ahead as Brando didn’t have to carry a penalty and it is just at the right time. He travelled very impressively and the way that he quickens up puts the race to bed, which does allow him the cheek of then easing himself up. Kevin did suggest that a trip to the Duke Of York could be next before a Group 1 campaign. It is the obvious choices but he missed Royal Ascot so that would be a nice target before a defence of his French crown in the Prix Maurice De Gheest. last season Kevin had his hand forced with the virus so he feels that this year Brando can be given a bit more time between his runs. Pete and Angie will certainly have to get the top hat out, passports at the ready and hopefully prepare for a few champagne corks to be popped because if Brnado can maintain and build on this, 2018 could well be Group 1 celebrations again.