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BRANDO GETS STARRING ROLE
OWNER Peter Tingey believes BRANDO (2.25) is better than ever and that he will put up a bold show in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock today.
The Kevin Ryan-trained five-year-old was a fluent winner of the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on his latest start and features among a final field of 12 for the six-furlong £260,000 showpiece, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Others to stand their ground include Harry Angel, the Darley July Cup winner, and the first two home in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June — The Tin Man and Tasleet.
Excited
Before winning in France, Brando had finished a staying-on third to Harry Angel in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.
And Tingey is excited about the possibility of his pride and joy, who runs in the colours of his partner Angie Bailey, turning the tables.
“Brando apparently ran the last three furlongs of the July Course in the fastest time since records began,” said Tingey.
“Tom [Eaves, the jockey] did the right thing in following Caravaggio, but in hindsight if we’d been following something else we might have got closer to Harry Angel. It’s not going to be easy ® and Harry Angel is the one to beat, but I think they will be as worried about Brando as we are are about Harry Angel.”
The Yorkshireman owns a fleet of about 240 taxis in Barnsley and has had horses with Ryan for almost 20 years.
Tug
He and Bailey purchased Brando at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up sales for about £120,000 three years ago and since then he has thrived — winning seven of his 13 races and accumulating £578,000 in prize money.
“I think his win at Deauville last time was probably his best performance yet,” said Tingey. “There are not many Group 1s where you see a jockey able to take a tug on a horse a furlong and a half out.
“That to me reflects just how well he is at present and if Kevin can turn him out in the same sort of shape, which I’m sure he will, then we’ve got to have a serious chance.
“It will be a nervy day, but when we stop getting nervous that will be the time to call it a day.”
Brando had Magical Memory (fourth) behind in France and the rain at Haydock this week has been an added bonus for his connections. “He does act on fast ground but he’s better on softer,” added Tingey.