The Kris Lees stable representative Mel Eggleston was effusive in his praise for Yarraman Park Stud’s recruit Brave Smash (JPN) after Power Of The Brave kept his record at a perfect two for two with a fighting win in the BRC Membership On Sale Now Hcp (1350m) at Doomben.
Given a positive ride by Andrew Mallyon, Power Of The Brave was tenacious down the straight in defeating the favourite Transatlantic (Snitzel) by a head, with Masterplan (Sidestep) three lengths back in third.
Sporting the blue and red silks of Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds, Power Of The Brave impressed at his career debut at Newcastle when coming with a barnstorming finish from the tail of the field in a 2yo and 3yo maiden.
“He is a real good stallion, this Brave Smash,” Mel Eggleston said.
“They are starting to come to the fore, and they are cracking types with great natures and are easy to handle.
“He is a beautiful horse, this bloke. Joe O’Neil can find a horse; he has a very good eye.
“He stepped slow the other day, but this is a different race, and I told Andrew to give him a good dig. He got there easily and controlled the race.”
An $80,000 purchase for Prime Thoroughbreds from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2021 National Weanling Sale, Power of the Brave is the third winner from four foals to race from stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare More For Me.
A winner at Sandown on debut for Peter Moody and third in the Listed Woodlands stakes, More For Me is a daughter of stakes-winning Danehill mare Langness, whose dam is the Group 1 VRC Lightning Stakes and Group 1 VRC Newmarket Hcp winner Isca (Rory’s Jester).
A frequent visitor to broodmare sales, More For Me most recently was a $30,000 purchase for Avesta Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2021 National Broodmare Sale when carrying a Divine Prophet filly.
More For Me was covered by Farnan last spring.
With ten first-crop winners, Brave Smash (JPN) holds the lead over Trapeze Artist (8), Harry Angel (IRE) (8) and Justify (USA) (7).
After four seasons at Aquis, Brave Smash (JPN) will stand alongside champion stallion, I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park in 2023 at a fee of $33,000.
