Namerik Thoroughbreds-bred graduate Bravo Centurion produced a brilliant turn of foot to score at will in the Sharyn Walker Maiden (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday.
Racing first-up since February, he crossed a big field and then put them to the sword in the straight. “He’s been showing us plenty behind the scenes but is a work in progress,” trainer Luke Fernie said. “He’s a big boy and the owners have been loyal and patient.”
Bravo Centurion (Photo / Western Racepix) had been placed at Northam and Bunbury earlier this season. “I was surprised he was so far back in both those starts. He was still learning to be a racehorse but the stars aligned today with the give in the track.”
Bravo Centurion (3g National Defense – Comme Ca by Authorized) was knocked down for $40,000 out of the Namerik Thoroughbreds draft at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. His second-dam Tease Me (Encosta de Lago) won at Sandown Hillside and third-dam Flashed (Fuji Kiseki) won a LR Ottawa Stakes at Flemington.
Namerik owner Alan Bansemer retained his younger half-brother Douglah (Long Leaf) and will race him in partnership with Fernie.
Winning jockey Chris Parnham believes Bravo Centurion will make the grade in Saturday company. “Luke has a lot of time for him and wanted me to take a sit but that wasn’t going to happen. He jumped and I just let him do the rest.”
Namerik completed a double at the midweek meeting when Kiralui also won first-up in the Natasha Rawluk Hcp (1200m) for Pearce Racing.
The Safeguard mare had won her maiden at Bunbury in October and is a full-sister to 2021 G2 WA Guineas (1600m) runner-up Stay Safe. Bansemer bred them from Acclaimed (Hussonet) and her new-season yearling is a filly by Rommel.
The Namerik brand was seen to advantage at Group 3 level when Admiration Express (My Admiration) won the 2022 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. And this year’s HKJC Classic Cup (1800m) and Classic Mile (1600m) winner Helios Express (Toronado) is from a mare who also carried the ‘AB’ initials in Perth.
