The Kris Lees stable representative Mel Eggleston was effusive in his praise for Yarraman Park Stud’s new recruit Brave Smash (JPN) after Power Of The Brave kept his record at a perfect two for two with a fighting win in the BRC Membership On Sale Now Hcp (1350m) at Doomben.

Given a positive ride by Andrew Mallyon, Power Of The Brave was tenacious down the straight in defeating the favourite Transatlantic by a head.

Sporting the blue and red silks of Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds, Power Of The Brave impressed at his career debut at Newcastle when coming with a barnstorming finish from the tail of the field in a 2yo and 3yo maiden.

“He is a real good stallion, this Brave Smash,” Mel Eggleston said.

“They are starting to come to the fore, and they are cracking types with great natures and are easy to handle.

“He is a beautiful horse, this bloke. Joe O’Neil can find a horse; he has a very good eye.

“He stepped slow the other day, but this is a different race, and I told Andrew to give him a good dig. He got there easily and controlled the race.”

Power of the Brave was a savvy $80,000 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase from the Newhaven Park draft for Prime Thoroughbreds owner Joe O’Neill, who was one of the first fans of Brave Smash.

Power of the Brave is the third winner from four foals to race from stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare More Than Me, a daughter of stakes-winner Langness, whose dam is dual Group I winning sprinter Isca.

Power of the Brave is the tenth winner for Brave Smash, who has also had eight placed horses from 27 starters with his best performers being stakes-winner Brave Mead and Group placed Kimochi and Brave Strike, plus ill-fated Brave Halo, who was fourth in the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes.

A multiple Group I winning sprinter, Brave Smash covered over 400 mares in his first four seasons at Aquis, but will get an amazing opportunity this spring at Yarraman Park at a fee of $33,000.