Brave by name and brave by nature is probably the best way to describe last start Hobart winner Brave Mukky.

Brave Mukky (5g Tuscanos – Our Mukaddamah by Mukaddamah) gave nothing else a chance in the Fuji Xerox Colour Hcp.  The Vicki Rhind-trained gelding showed plenty of early speed and led his rivals a merry chase with the claim of stable apprentice Jacques Luxe.

Rhind has a big opinion of the gelding and expects him to retain his present form going forward.  “His work in the week leading up to the win was outstanding and I came to the races feeling quite confident.

“He’s always been a courageous horse once he’s fit,” Rhind added.  “He seems comfortable around a mile and will tell me when he’s ready to step up.”

Rhind is based at Devonport on Tasmania’s North-West Coast but for the past three months she has been domiciled at Seven Mile Beach near Hobart while the Devonport track is being redeveloped.

Devonport expects to host its first meeting on the newly installed synthetic surface on September 4.  “We will be back training at Spreyton next month,” Rhind said. “In the meantime I’m happy at Seven Mile Beach because it is a very good set-up and the horses love the environment.”

Brave Mukky is by former Hollylodge Thoroughbreds sire Tuscanos.  He is a Victorian bred son of Encosta de Lago and was shipped off-shore when Hollylodge owner Christine Nevill upgraded the Avenel stud’s roster.

His dam Our Mukaddamah won at Yarra Glen and second dam (Let’s) Rendezvous (Centaine) won up to 2000m and was also stakes placed in a Waikato Guineas and New Zealand Derby Trial.  (Let’s) Rendezvous is a sister to Ultimate Aim who won a Waikato Gold Cup and Geelong Cup.

Hollylodge is now home to Flying Spur sire Zupaone and newcomer Widden Valley.

Widden Valley (4h Anabaa – Rose Archway by Archway) is a superbly bred individual and won two of just five starts before a joint injury curtailed his career.  He will stand for a $3,300 (inc gst) service fee.