Unbeaten Borneo Brave Only Getting Better

UNBEATEN Borneo Brave takes on a quality line-up in a Capalaba 5th Grade (366m) on Sunday and breeder, part-owner and trainer Jason Schmidt expects him to improve on the 19.60 he ran when making his debut at the track in his heat.

By boom young sire Hooked On Scotch, Borneo Brave is from the Schmidt family's 14-time winner Bonne Chance and it is a seven-pup litter all of which have won.

“He's pretty good,” said Jason who also has Borneo Brave's litter brother Regal Scotch drawn box two, as opposed to Borneo Brave's seven draw.

FIELDS AND FORM CAPALABA SUNDAY

“Borneo Brave has always been quicker than his brother and he went 19.60 in his heat win last week and that was after a couple of runs on the track.”

But Jason admits the quality of the line-up in the lowly 5th Grade is impressive to say the least.

“What a good field it is,” he said.

“Jedda Cutlack's Valhalla is perfectly boxed out in the eight and he went 19.45 in his heat.

“And how can you rule out Magistrate off the rails. He's already won a couple of Group races.”

Jason and brother Craig have knocked back offers to buy Borneo Brave after his first two starts resulted in fast Albion Park 395m wins in 22.54 and 22.51.

“The offers were nice, but not nice enough for us to sell,” said Jason.

He is very happy with the decision to use Hooked On Scotch.

“We were looking for some strength in our line which is usually best at 400 metres or just beyond,” he said.

“And we have already had four of the litter win over 500 metres.

“With maturity and racing Borneo Brave will likely get 500 metres as well.

“We gave him a break after those first couple of wins at Albion Park but that was more because we had a bitch on season at the time and he thought he would test his future stud dog capabilities.

“He hurt a nose that required stitches and that was why he had a spell.”

Unfortunately a snake bite claimed dam Bonne Chance when the Hooked On Scotch litter was just three months old.

“But, we've got good hopes for Bon Flame, a bitch in the litter and she could be a future broodbitch for us,” said Jason.

Jason says box seven is not ideal for Borneo Brave which likes to head towards the middle and get right behind the straight track lure.

But, the two box suits his brother Regal Scotch.

“He loves to come out of an even numbered box,” he said.

“He jumps best from the evens.”