Brando Stamps His Class In Qeii

Talented 2YO wins maiden Group 2 on 2nd day of Istanbul Racing Festival

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ISTANBUL - Two-year-old Brando impressed the international crowd, bringing up his first Group success with a barnstorming finish in the 4.55 million Turkish lira (S$142,000) Group 2 International Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1,400m) at Veliefendi.

Turkey's annual international racing extravaganza over the two-meeting weekend on Sept 6 and 7 saw two Group 2 and four Group 3 events.

The highlights were the 4.55 million Turkish lira Group 2 International France Galop Anatolia Trophy (2,000m) on Sept 6, and the International Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Cup on Sept 7.

Racing fans over the world would be familiar with the QEII Cup, as many other prestigious Group 1 races carry the late monarch and avid racing fan's name.

Turkey's edition - launched in 1971 to commemorate her visit to the country to grace the inaugural QEII Cup at Ankara racecourse - saw the rise of the promising Brando trained by Ferdi Kip.

Slated as the penultimate race on the second day of the Istanbul Racing Festival, the International QEII Cup attracted a small but quality field of six two-year-olds.

Ridden by Ayhan Kursun, Brando jumped from gate 5 and tailed off early while El Gladiador (Halis Karatas) led the pack into the straight.

Once the juveniles straightened for the judges, Brando ($75) launched his final assault from out wide, alongside four other runners.