BRAVE TOUGH 2YO TAKES OUT THE OXLADE

Danny O’Brien’s Brave Design has broken his maiden and claimed black-type success simultaneously, taking out the Listed Sen Oxlade Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The son of Brave Smash was brave behind J.J. Atkins favourite Cool Archie in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes last start and was kept safe as a $7 chance down in grade and distance.

Jordan Childs eased Brave Design off the rail on the turn and the hard fit colt was always going to be hard to hold off, overhauling Isti Star ($12) and Royal Chic ($16) for a comfortable win.

O’Brien was delighted to get the victory on the board, with his decision to skip the G1 J.J. Atkins for an easier contest vindicated by the strong win.

“He’s been a colt that has been super every time he has gone to the races,” O’Brien said.

“We were very keen to get a win on the board with him.

“We had the option to go to the Atkins, but we thought two things – the 1200 today and a weaker grade was an opportunity for him to get on the board and win one.

“The Sires’ was run in testing conditions that day and he came through it very, very well. He’s loved it up here in Queensland as a lot of our Victorian horses do.

Brave Design may run again in Queensland before heading back south to prepare for a big spring.

“We may run him again. There is a 1400-metre race here on Tiara Day,” O’Brien said.

“Then a little freshen-up before he goes to Melbourne.”

Story by Darcy Cosgriff for Racing.com

Pic by Grant Courtney & Trackside Photography