The Danny O’Brien stable has selected a Stakes race at Morphettville in preference to a race at Caulfield in a bid to gain a maiden win for Brave Design.
Placed twice at Stakes level from his two previous starts, Brave Design will contest the Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
The O’Brien stable had also accepted with Brave Design in the opening race at Caulfield on Saturday, the Next Payments Handicap (1100m), but the colt was scratched from that event on Thursday morning.
On debut, Brave Design finish third behind Tentyris in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on February 15 before coming out three weeks later finishing second to Vinrock in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
At his subsequent start, Vinrock went on to claim the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick during The Championship and was then purchased for a future career as a stallion by Yulong Stud.
O’Brien said the Black Type status had swayed the stable’s decision to head to Adelaide.
“It’s a Group 3 race and he’s a colt and if he could win a Stakes race as a two-year-old it helps,” O’Brien said.
“His two runs in the autumn were terrific. He ran second to Vinrock in the Sires’ and the Talindert form has turn out good also.
“He seems to have improved and has come back very well and in Adelaide he doesn’t have to give them weight.”
Brave Design has been entered for the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 as well as the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.
“He’s entered for the Sires’ and J J Atkins in Brisbane, so he’ll run on Saturday and then it’s three weeks to the Sires’,” O’Brien said.
Brave Design will be joined on the trip to Adelaide by Litzdeel who will run in the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m).
Litzdeel, who is a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare, who was prepared by O’Brien, is coming off a last start second in the VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25.
“She’s in great shape,” O’Brien said.
“Her run was very brave the other day when she got photed out of it in the St Leger.
“She’s back against the fillies this time and seems to have come through the St Leger well and this will be her last run for the prep.
“It would be great to win a Stakes race with her as she’s a half-sister to Vow And Declare and she’s a promising stayer.”
