Former British horse Home Of The Brave has relished the heavy conditions at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon, leading from start to finish in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
Only seven horses lined up at the barriers for the Theo Marks Stakes and Home Of The Brave was able to take up the running with ease, despite drawing wide and he enjoyed a relatively carefree time ahead of Siege Of Quebec and D’Argento.
Kicking clear of his rivals when turning for home, the Starspangledbanner gelding appeared to be dropping back towards the chasing pack led by the Group 1-winning grey, but produced an impressive kick to pull clear again and find the line a couple of lengths in the clear.
Trapeze Artist worked home well to finish third, while Shillelagh produced an eye-catching sprint to run on for fourth.
Jockey Glyn Schofield was confident in the horse that he had beneath him and is confident that he will only improve for his impressive Theo Marks Stakes win.
“He’s all about go, this fella,” Schofield said.
“For the majority of the race, I just tried to keep him happy without trying to fight him too much, but also without letting him run too hard.
“Conditions are trying and test, but he got through them really well and well done to James (Cummings) and the team. A little bit of a gear change, second run, super effort.
“He’s got a lot of spunk about him and his foot is always on the accelerator.”
There are still a couple of slots remaining for October’s $10 million The Everest (1200m) and Schofield believes that the horse is heading in the right direction for consideration.
“I’ll leave it all to James and the team, but obviously he’s going the right way,” he said.
Home Of The Brave has firmed into The Everest odds of $23 following this afternoon’s Theo Marks Stakes win.