The Emperor, Strikes Back!
Sat 12 Nov 2022
WINNER 117 OF 2022: BRAVE EMPEROR, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by David Probert: 'The talkSPORT Powered By Fans Nursery ' over 7f at Wolverhampton.
It was great to see him back on the raceourse, after a 167 day break, having a set back. Looking to bring up the hat-trick on his return, it seemed though, that all eyes were focusing on the hot favourite, Danger Alert.
Drawn on the outer, he had to take a wide path around the first bend, then settling in 2nd, in behind one of the outsiders. Pushed along from 2f out, he made good headway to take the lead coming around the home bend. Really stretching out, he ran on well inside the final furlong and won, going away, by 2 and 3/4 lengths.
"Brave Emperor wins, in the end, quite easily." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Wolverhampton/11-November-2022/1830
The Racing Post chose him as their 'Star performer' on the card: "Brave Emperor (6.30) completed the hat-trick with the minimum of fuss and remains a progressive type."
Timeform rated it as a career best t92+ saying: "Had looked a promising early-season juvenile, winning 2 of his 3 races back in the spring and he showed much improved form returning from 6 months off (gelded in interim) to make a successful handicap debut up in trip; chased leader, pushed along 2f out, led early in straight, driven out; he's open to further improvement.”
David said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "I spoke to Archie beforehand and he told me that he likes the horse at home. He gave me a nice feel and is still quite babyish and a bit raw, but having time off he was probably entitled to be a bit rusty. He saw the 7 furlongs out great and could possibly go a mile after that performance. He is a good looking horse and I think can improve from this.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.jahphoto.co.uk/-/galleries/wolverhampton-horse-racing-2022/november-2022/11th-november-2022/race-4#media_804068aa-2560-49ca-8995-7bc246525561
Syndicate manager Tom says: "I must start with a thank you to Archie and his team for getting him to win like that after having had a break and to bring up the hat-trick is superb. Thank you to Wolverhampton for looking after our owners - most of the syndicate were in attendance and congratulations to them. He looks like he will continue to give them a lot of fun. ”