Promising 2-year-old Four Ace resumed from a nineteen week spell to break his maiden against his elders over 1400m at Cranbourne on Sunday and credit first-season sire Brutal with his ninth winner.
Given a rev up from the barriers by Micheal Dee, Four Ace controlled the race from the front.
Railing like a greyhound, the son of Brutal kept up a solid gallop to defeat the fast-finishing Toronado (IRE) gelding Powerful Torque by one and a quarter lengths with the Iffraaj (GB) filly Agreeance three-quarter of a length back in third.
"It was a super effort,” Dee said.
“Being first up, I was a little undecided, but I pressed forward and held the front, and then he kicked away.
“He is quite a casual horse, so when he found the front, he had his ears pricked, but when asked the question, he quickened up and cornered well and was good to the line.”
Trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, Four Ace was making his third start.
A close-up fourth behind Jenni's Meadow on debut at Moonee Valley when blocked for a run, Four Ace finished third over 1300m at Bendogo on February 11.
Sporting the colours carried by his sire to victory in the Group 1 ATC Doncaster Mile, Four Ace was a $150,000 purchase for Lindsay Park Racing from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the fourth winner from five to race for the stakes-placed Not A Single Doubt mare Claudia Jean.
Purchased by Harry McAlpine Bloodstock for $85,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, Claudia Jean is out of the Group II ARC Royal Stakes runner Milzeel (Zabeel), whose dam Miltak won the Group 1 STC BMW Stakes, Group 1 Auckland Cup, and Group 1 New Zealand Oaks.
Claudia Jean has a yearling sister to Four Ace and was covered by Spirit Of Boom last spring.
Brutal joins his high-flying Newgate Farn barnmate Tassort on nine winners, two behind the leader Too Darn Hot (GB).
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