It could be a day of firsts for the connections of Bravo Centurion when Western Australia's hottest horse aims to repel the eastern invasion and extend his picket fence in the Nov. 30 Winterbottom Stakes (G1).
Luke Fernie and Alan Bansemer, respectively the trainer and breeder of speed machine Bravo Centurion, will both be bidding to make their group 1 breakthroughs in the AU$1.5 million feature at Ascot Racecourse.
Fernie will launch a three-pronged, home-track attack in the Winterbottom, with his stakes-winning mare Laced Up Heels and 5-year-old gelding Man Crush also representing the horseman, who became the fourth generation of his family to take up training after aborting a brief career as a tradesman.
But having won six races on the bounce, culminating in his 3 2/4-length romp in the Prince Of Wales Stakes (G3) at the start of the month, it is undoubtedly Bravo Centurion who carries the most momentum into the Winterbottom as he seeks to go two better than stablemate Ripcord, a minor placegetter behind Overpass in the corresponding race 12 months ago.
Bjorn Baker's money spinner heads the betting markets ahead of the rejuvenated Western Empire and James McDonald's mount Lady Laguna, who will attempt to continue Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald's run of group 1 success in Perth after the stable claimed the Railway Stakes (G1) Nov. 23 with Port Lockroy.
The chances of Overpass, who has three wins from his three forays to Perth, going back-to-back in the Winterbottom were dented when he drew the outside alley.
Unfortunately for Fernie, Bravo Centurion fared little better and the 4-year-old will eyeball the defending champion from barrier 15. However, given his explosive gate speed Fernie feels the wide draw shouldn't prove too big a hindrance for Bravo Centurion, who will once again be partnered by his regular rider Chris Parnham.
"He's usually so fast out of the gates so as long as he can jump quickly again on Saturday, hopefully he can cross the horses inside him without using up too much petrol," Fernie told ANZ Bloodstock News.
"He made a mess of them last time in the Prince Of Wales, this is clearly a much harder race with the likes of Overpass and Lady Laguna heading over, but if he can replicate that performance then he's got every chance. He was strong at the end of that race so I don't think the step up to 1,200 meters will be an issue for him.
"He can't do anything more than he's done so far in his career, so although we respect the opposition because they're very well-credentialed horses, we certainly don't fear them. Given his form he deserves a crack at a group 1 race, and we've always hoped he could get to that level because he's shown plenty of ability from the first time he walked through the stable doors."
The AU$40,000 Fernie parted with for Lot 282 at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale represents outstanding value, given Bravo Centurion's racetrack returns are just shy of AU$300,000 from his eight starts to date.
