Exciting times are ahead for Harness Racing in Australia with the emergence of a genuine Superstar in the Somebeachsomewhere sired entire Bondi Lockdown.
His run in the Chariots Of Fire last weekend at Menangle has to be one of the greatest performances anywhere in the World over the past twenty years.
This run wasn’t a fluke as the Aaron Dunn owned, trained and driven stallion had strung together five consecutive victories, including two Group Ones over the previous two months.
It wasn’t any fluke on his breeding either as his Granddam Innocent Eyes was in fact the last female to beat the boys in the Chariots Of Fire back in 2006.
This whole amazing story commenced in 1990 when former outstanding AFL footballer Bryan Cousins imported a 2 year old filly by Lordship from New Zealand. She was named Cerebrano and although probably didn’t live up to Bryan’s expectations on the racetrack [ 28 starts for 4 wins ], she did commence a dynasty of her own when retired to stud in 1993.
“She was skinny, wormy and a midget when she arrived from New Zealand . The first trainer I offered her to told me I was wasting my money and his time. But I persevered and she won four with seven placings from 28 starts. She was such a delightful mare to do anything with . “ said Bryan .
Bryan aside from being a brilliant AFL footballer is an all round great guy , a successful business person in WA and part time trainer and breeder of Standardbreds …… and actually drove Cerebrano to her final win in Sept 1993.
He is also the father of the 2005 Brownlow Medallist and West Coast Eagles Premiership Captain Ben Cousins.
His Standardbred breeding venture commenced in the 1990’s under the Trading name of Tarsao Investments with Cerebrano as one of his foundation Broodmares. She was a dainty and pretty little mare standing around 14.2 hands but went on to produce 16 foals of which 15 made it to the racetrack for 11 individual winners. Ten of those 16 foals were fillies, many of which Bryan retained including the brilliant Safely Kept female Innocent Eyes 1.57.6 $421,875.
Another of Cerebrano’s daughters in Shes Innocent [ by D M Dilinger ] produced the electrifying fast colt Restrepo 1.52.4. This mare is also the granddam of LOT 360 at the Neds APG Perth Sale this Sunday – a colt by the Sire taking North America by storm in Always B Miki. This colt is being offered by Debra Lewis , the wife of champion reinsman Chris Lewis , who actually drove Cerebrano to two of her four victories.
Bryan’s Tarsao Investments are offering a lovely draft of four Fillies at the Neds APG WA Sale on Sunday – three by American Ideal and one by Sportswriter . Each of them are either from daughters or granddaughters of Cerebrano so any purchaser of these Lots are investing into the pedigree of Australia’s newest Superstar pacer Bondi Lockdown.
“ I really do like the four of them and I’m not sure that I have ever bred a better filly than LOT 414 – by American Ideal from the Western Terror mare Sienna . “ said Bryan yesterday.
Please contact Linda Graham on 0428 955 998 or via email and she’ll be pleased to assist you with your online registrations, pre-bidding sale approvals or to answer any other questions that you may have on your travel and accommodation needs.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
