Classie Brigade showed Southlanders when he won easily at Winton Raceway on Saturday against older more experienced campaigners that he'll be a serious contender for the end of season Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes .
The Bettor's Delight colt was driven by Ricky May who's been associated with him from day one.
"I actually drove him the first time he went off the place."
It was at a workout at Methven (February 2015) and he slipped over but he got up and paced and I've driven him ever since," said May.
He had six starts at two, recording two seconds.
"He was a nice two year old and got third in the Sires Stakes Final at Addington (behind Lazarus and Chase The Dream) at three so he's been right there."
At Auckland (in the Sales Series Final) a hopple shorter came out going into the first bend and hit him in the stomach and he started bucking."
"It was a shame because it was the first time he'd drawn handy."
"He's come down here instead of going to Auckland," Ricky said.
In today's Plumbing World Mobile Pace, May decided to stay out of the early rush and settled in the one one as All Jokes Aside sped to the top.
With Macy Blue Chip softening up the leader, May waited until the 400 metres before he got a nice tow into the race on the back of an improving Machie Mach.
Just before straightening May let the colt run and he quickly improved to challenge All Jokes Aside.
Halfway down the straight he'd hit the lead and came away to win easily by one and a half lengths from All Jokes Aside.
The winning time was 2-57.1.
"I didn't let him run out of the gate."
"He's run out of the gate a couple of times but today I decided not to go out."
It worked out good really. He got a nice run. He's good at coming off their backs," Ricky said.
Classie Brigade is out of the seven win Mach Three mare Trigirl Brigade and has strong Southland roots.
His fourth dam Paula Brigade won six races for Harry Cox. She was owned by the late Peter (AD) Campbell.
Ryal Bush trainer Nathan Williamson bought a full brother to Classie Brigade at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale in Auckland last week for $50,000.
Bruce Stewart – Southland Harness Racing – Check site here