Braggadacio (SAF) avenged his recent defeat at the hooves of Buy And Sell (SAF) after the two six-year-olds fought out the finish of the Gr 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein on Sunday. Fenerbahce (SAF) and Rudra (SAF) filled the minor placings.

Mentor took up his customary role at the head of affairs with Buy And Sell slotting into second place along the rails just ahead of Braggadacio. Tap Tap was also handy early on with Fenerbahce up there and Rudra unable to get across from a wide draw. Thandolwami raced to that ones inside with Smart Banker further back.

Mentor was soon in trouble upon entering the straight and Buy And Sell slipped through on the rails with Braggadacio immediately on his case. These two proceeded to pull clear of the rest and although Buy And Sell tried hard, he never really looked like hauling back the winner who responded well to Anthony Delpech's urgings and got home by nearly a length.

Braggadacio has had his fair share of problems and spent some time off the track but he can certainly run when at the top of his game and today's win was hardly a surprise. It capped a great day for the Mike de Kock yard which was notching up a third big race win out of the four on offer.

Buy And Sell was weighted to win here but just could not summon up the necessary extra in the closing stages. It was still a heartening performance, however, as he has put together a decent run of form of late and he does look to have regained some of his enthusiasm for racing.

Fenerbahce ran a big race here while Rudra was never travelling as comfortably as he had done when winning his last start. This was his second run after a long layoff, though, over a trip on the sharp side for him and given the bigger targets he has ahead of him, it wasn't too bad an effort.

Braggadacio (SAF) is a 6-y-o gelding by Western Winter (USA) out of Fair Bianca by Priceless Asset. He is owned by his breeders Lammerskraal Stud (Nom: Mr M L P Rattray)

Winning trainer: Mike de Kock