Bravo Centurion - How Good is He?

Mark Smith - Saturday November 2

The $1,500,000 Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes on November 30 is next for Bravo Centurion after the son of National Defense (GB) made a mockery of the Group III Tabtouch - Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot.
Bravo Centurion barely breaks a sweat (image Perth Racing/Western Racepix)

Ridden by Chris Parnham for Luke Fernie, Bravo Centurion stretched his winning run to six, making every post a winner to defeat Saloon Bar (Sessions) by a long three and three-quarter lengths with Crippalenko (Maschino) a half-length back in third.

With his second stakes success, Bravo Centurion advances his record to six wins and two thirds from eight starts with earnings of $294,910.

“He is a different horse to what he was a fortnight ago (winning the Crawford Stakes),” Parnham said.

“He has just kept improving from winning his maiden in July.  

“He just keeps raising the bar and exceeding expectations.

“He has a high cruising speed and can kick off the corner; he’s just a speed machine.”

Onwards and upwards (image Perth Racing/Western Racepix)

Bred by Namerik Thoroughbreds, Bravo Centurion was a $40,000 purchase for Peter and Luke Fernie at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

He is the best of two winners from three to race for the Authorized mare Comme Ca, whose dam Tease Me (Encosta De Lago) is a half-sister to Group II MVRC Ian McEwen Stakes winner Angelic Light (Holy Roman Emperor), who was runner-up in the Manikato Stakes and Robert Sangster Stakes and was third in the VRC AJ Moir Stakes.

Comme Ca has not had a foal since the unraced 3-year-old Long Leaf gelding Douglah.

Bravo Centurion is one of four stakes winners for Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner National Defense (Invincible Spirit), who died halfway through his third season shuttling to Widden Stud. 

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Race Result - TABtouch - Prince Of Wales Stakes Gr3 1000m

Ascot Track: Good(4) Time: 0:57.72
1
Bravo Centurion
- 4g National Defense (GB) x Comme Ca (AUS) (Authorized (IRE))
Tnr: Luke Fernie Rdr: Chris Parnham 58.5
2
3.9
Saloon Bar
- 5g Sessions (AUS) x Paris Cracker (AUS) (Viscount (AUS))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: S Parnham 58.5
3
4.4
Crippalenko
- 5g Maschino (AUS) x Brookesmebaby (AUS) (Bletchley Park (IRE))
Tnr: Greg Beauglehole Rdr: P Carbery 58.5
4
4.5
Boots Like Bruce
- 7g Alfred Nobel (IRE) x Smithfields (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Ms A King Rdr: Alan Kennedy 58.5
5
5.2
Thomas Magnum
- 6g Per Incanto (USA) x Alchemy's Flight (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: C & M Gangemi Rdr: C Johnston-Porter 58.5
6
6.2
Red Can Man
- 8g Gingerbread Man (AUS) x Brocky's Ace (AUS) (Surtee (AUS))
Tnr: S J Wolfe Rdr: S Mc Gruddy 58.5
7
7.5
Catalpa
- 6g Rios (NZ) x Wild Rock (NZ) (Handsome Ransom (AUS))
Tnr: Jeremy Easthope Rdr: Joseph Azzopardi 58.5
8
8.9
Marocchino
- 8g Maschino (AUS) x Comesitbesideme (AUS) (Mcflirt (NZ))
Tnr: L P Luciani Rdr: T Turner 58.5
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