Brave Ali maintains his fighter reputation with Tails Stakes triumph

TONY Gollan deflected all praise for the stakes winning effort by in-form stayer Brave Ali following yesterday’s Tails Stakes at Eagle Farm.

Brave Ali and Tegan Harrison get the job done at Eagle Farm. Picture: Darren England

TONY Gollan deflected all praise for the stakes winning effort by in-form stayer Brave Ali following yesterday’s Tails Stakes at Eagle Farm.

Brave Ali took up his customary front running role for Tegan Harrison and doggedly repelled all of his challengers in the run to the line.

Gollan, who marries his fiancé Jane next Saturday, inherited Brave Ali from Craig Martin, who is on an overseas trip.

“Craig brought him to town three runs back and when he measured up he decided to leave him here,” Gollan said.

“I have been good friends with Craig and (his brother) Tim for a long time and I told him I was happy to look after the horse for him, but Craig insisted, so that’s how we ended up with him.

“Tegan obviously has a wonderful affinity with him.

Brave Ali, with Tegan Harrison (black cap) aboard, gets away to a solid start. Picture: Darren England

“I don’t do too much with him between runs, so from my point of view it’s all too easy.”

Harrison said she is aware Brave Ali doesn’t have a turn of foot, so it’s a balancing act of going fast enough, while at the same time saving enough for a kick in the straight.

“He doesn’t win by a big margin, so I’m always hoping he hangs on,” Harrison said.

“He’s a real fighter. When another horse comes at him, he really digs in.”

Tegan Harrison gets everything out of frontrunner Brave Ali. Picture: Darren England