Neville Bell stays with dream

Owner Neville Bell’s dream to breed a top class stayer could have instead given him a early running two-year-old.

Bell, who mixes operating Kilto Park horse complex with being chairman of the Brisbane Race Club, sent his mare Candice to the Desert King, the sire of three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva.

The result was Brando who will be one of only a few horses by the Irish Derby winner to race in Brisbane when he runs in the QTIS Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Candice, a Canny Lad mare, won two races at 2200m and was placed several times during her career at middle distances.

“I was hoping to get another Makybe Diva but I might have got a Black Caviar instead,” Bell said.

“But in all seriousness, Brando has shown us a bit at the shorter trips so we decided to give him an early chance.

“He was scratched from the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday for this so hopefully he will repay the confidence.”

Bell said no matter what the result on Saturday he still had hopes for Brando as a stayer.

“And I haven’t given up hope Candice will get a stayer as she has just been covered by (Melbourne Cup winner) Americain,” he said.