Taking on an A grade field featuring Everest favourite Trapeze Artist and classy four year-old D'Argento, the James Cummings trained son of Starspangledbanner led all the way and kicked clear over the final furlong to beat D'Argento by two lengths with Trapeze Artist a gallant third under his top weight of 61kg.
The heavy ground made it a tough test for horses resuming from a spell and Home of the Brave (image Steve Hart) , with a run under his belt, took full advantage of his fitness edge to score his first Australian win.
"I was just trying to keep him happy in the testing conditions," said winning rider Glyn Schofield.
"He has a lot of spunk, his foot is always on the accelerator!"
A two time Group III winner in the UK, Home of the Brave has the overall record
of seven wins and seven placings from 20 starts and is the best of two winners
from Blissful Beat, a half-sister by Beat Hollow to Group III winners Rashbag
and Suggestive.Stable representative Darren Beadman was non-committal on a possible start in The Everest.
"It was pleasing to see him do it at both ends. He got into a nice rhythm and was strong to the line," Beadman said.
"Talking to James Cummings earlier today he said that if he performed well then the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Group I 1400m) might be a nice race for him."
A champion son of Choisir, Starspangledbanner stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $11,000
