Watch: Bravissima very brave at Royal Randwick

Trainer Matt Dale earned some travelling expenses for his winter holiday after Bravissima scored a strong win in the 50 Year and Life Member Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“The Goulburn winters can be tough so we are leaving for a week in Port Douglas tomorrow,” Dale said. “So this is a nice, little bonus with Bravissima’s win.”

Bravissima bursts through and comes over the top for Nash Rawiller🤌@nashhot pic.twitter.com/cKTGcPW1KJ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 6, 2026

Dale revealed he made the trip from his Goulburn stable base to Randwick with a quiet confidence Bravissima would prove hard to beat.

“We knew it was too short for her first-up but she closed the race off really well, then last start we thought she was a live chance but she got pushed back to the inside,” Dale said.

“But I still thought she was very game and she indicated that day she was looking for further.

“So, we had two weeks and up to a mile, a better draw helped to have right where we wanted just behind the leaders.

“Nash (Rawiller, jockey) has had a lot of success in these colours (Laurel Oak Bloodstock) and was a very, very good ride on the mare.”

Bravissima ($8.50) wore down a game Bird Whistle ($8) to win by a half length with Just Glamourous ($7) a similar margin away in third place.

Nasebah, the boom Chris Waller-trained imported mare, was sent out the $2.40 favourite after she raced in restricted room from the top of the straight but still finished off strongly to be beaten just over a length.

Rawiller said the race worked out perfectly for Bravissima and he praised the mare’s determination.

“She gave me a lovely ride,” Rawiller said.

“We ended up getting a nice, genuinely run race which suited her and she has found the line well.

“It’s great to ride a winner for the owners and Matty Dale’s team.”

Dale might be leaving for a short break in the warmer weather of North Queensland but a trainer is never really on holiday and he’s already thinking what next for Bravissima.

“I would love to get some black type with her,” Dale said.

“We tried her at that level in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes earlier in the season but it wasn’t the right race for her.

“She’s come up really well this preparation and I’ll try to find another suitable race for her.”