Bragato Too Strong in G3 Thompson Handicap

Owner-trainer Richard Joostens saw his charge Bragato take his second victory of the season on Saturday when heading a NZB trifecta in the Group 3 Rich Hill Stud Thompson Handicap (1600m).

An honest performer, Bragato (NZ) (Brilliance x Yarra Rose) boasts a successful career and took his winning tally to eight in an impressive performance at Trentham in the hands of jockey Matthew Cameron.

At odds of $25, Bragato worked his way into the race after settling fifth, took lead at the 300 metre mark and raced away to take the biggest victory of his career by four-and-a-half lengths. It is the second win for the son of Brilliance this season after he took the $40,000 Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie two starts ago by one-and-a-half-lengths.

Joostens is keen to keep Bragato on softer ground after a fetlock injury kept him away from the races and, depending on the footing, has a number of options for the horse including the Fielding Cup (2100m) and the Nicolas Feuillatte Stakes (2000m). The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) in Melbourne is also being considered should the track suit.

Bred by Anne Corcoran, Bragato was offered by Grangewilliam Stud at the 2006 Festival Sale and was purchased by Joostens after being passed in through the Karaka ring for $3,000. A successful purchase, he has now won over $155,000 from 47 career starts.

The Matamata Cup quinella filled the second and third placings with No Excuse Maggie (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) heading the field into the straight and keeping on well to take second place. Justanexcuse (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) sealed the Group 3 trifecta for NZB after she made up a good amount of ground to claim third.