Brave Winner Set For Easter

25 February 2013

Brave Centaur was an appropriate winner of Saturday’s Waikato Stud Handicap at Matamata where he made a successful open class debut. By O’Reilly out of a Centaine mare, the five-year-old is now on a path toward a Group One feature.

“He surprised me a bit as he’s never been able to win a 1200 metre race before,” trainer Lance Noble said. “He is at the peak of his form and to win like that is really pleasing. The ideal target race for him is the Easter Handicap.”

Brave Centaur, who had been a lower grade winner at the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival, had been successful at Ellerslie at his previous two appearances before a freshen up for his home meeting. Ridden by Mark Hills, he was behind the leaders turning for home and rounded off strongly in the straight.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

The two of you will be aware of my ongoing concern as to the future of our sport. You could argue I have a vested interest; well, I did have, but my interest now is to give the future generations the opportunity my generation had. Now I can tell you, hand on heart, there were many financial thin times. 1975 was my fledgling start with five mares on 130 acres that occasionally flooded with the well-bred, non-race-winning Super Gray.

12 August 2026

Classy Debut Victory For Major Beel’s Brother Savagram

From a pedigree known all too well by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, 3yo Savabeel colt Savagram (NZ) kicked off his race career in the best possible way, highlighting himself as a potential black-type performer.