BRAVO CENTURION HEADS FERNIE TRIO

Former electrician hopes sparks will fly with his leading Winterbottom hope

- Michael Lee

On paper, six sticks next to Bravo Centurion should make the Perth speed merchant a horse to keep an eye on in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on Nov 30.

His pre-race odds of 9-1, however, suggests some hesitancy, presumably even among his strongest admirers, in backing him for a seventh hurrah in a row.

The 1,200m trip and the wide alley - 15 from 16 - seem to be the two main deterrents.

The National Defence four-year-old has given windburn to his fellow speedsters in mostly 1,000m speed dashes, including the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes on Nov 2 and Listed Crawford Stakes two weeks earlier on Oct 19.

He did run once over 1,200m, and even won, but in a modest Class 1 race in Pinjarra.

It was the only time leading Perth jockey Chris Parnham - who will keep the reins in the Winterbottom - was not his winning partner. Pat Carbery did the steering duties on that day.

The question on many lips on the eve of Perth's premier sprint race at Day 3 of The Pinnacles is whether Bravo Centurion can still sustain a sizzling gallop with another 200m to cover, and a wide alley to contend with.