Bravo Centurion primed to let rip in Rock Magic Stakes

Bravo Centurion will return to the races at Ascot on Saturday and trainer Luke Fernie is confident the exciting four-year-old can stamp his authority early and confirm a slot in the $5 million Kia-Quokka (1200m).

Bravo Centurion was one of the hottest horses going around in Perth last year, winning six straight races including two feature events, culminating in a four-length romp in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m).

A poor follow up in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) when a distant last behind Overpass spoiled what would have been an unblemished campaign, but Luke Fernie offers a plausible explanation for the Group 1 flop.

The explosive frontrunning speedster, a $40,000 yearling at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Sale, is set to return to racing in the $100,000 Rock Magic Stakes (1000m) and Fernie’s excited about what’s in store for the gelding.

“Everything is going really good and I’m looking forward to getting him to the races again,” Fernie said on Tabradio.

“When you have a good horse, they do everything you need them to at a high standard and that’s what he’s been able to this prep along with most of the others I’ve had with him as well.”

It’s been four months since Bravo Centurion raced in the Winterbottom Stakes, but Fernie says you have brush it aside and wipe it from your memory.

The son of National Defense did a power of work to cross and lead from a wide barrier but was the first horse beaten when the field turned for home.

Finishing 13 lengths adrift of eastern states raider and defending champion Overpass, Fernie went home with his tail between his legs, but holds firm Bravo Centurion can rebound and return to the winner’s enclosure.

“You push it to one side,” Fernie said.

“I think we had a bit of a bug go through the stable that day.

“He was gone a long way from home, so I don’t think it was a 1200m issue, he was gone well before he even got to the corner.

“We’ll just put a line through that and start fresh this time around.”

Fernie has no doubt following Bravo Centurion’s resumption he’ll be fielding slot calls for the Quokka on April 26.

“I’ve spoken to one person in particular and we’re waiting to see how the weekend plays out,” Fernie said.

“If he runs the way I’m expecting him to I’d imagine he’ll be lining up in a Quokka.

“There’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge, but with everything going to plan, it should happen.”

The Rock Magic Stakes has attracted 13 nominations. Bravo Centurion has drawn perfectly in barrier three.