Prepared by Team Hawkes, who hold him in high regard, Brutal (image Grant Courtney) lived up to expectation when he settled off the pace before charging to the line to beat another promising Kiwi bred colt in Tavisan, a son of outstanding staying sire Tavistock.
The margin was only a long neck, but the style of the win was impressive to all.
"He was a bit of a lad going to the gates the other day, but he was professional this time," said winning rider Dwyane Dunn.
"He dug deep and I love the way he just keeps improving. He savaged the line, he just wanted to get that other horse."
Consigned by
Mapperley Stud top the 2017 NZB Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka, Brutal was
knocked down to Hawkes Racing for $220,000 and runs for a syndicate of stable
clients who look to be in for some exciting times this spring."He hadn't had a race for five weeks, so we'll see how he pulls up," said Wayne Hawkes.
"You don't have to win by a big margin, you just have to get the job done.
"Caulfield Guineas… that's the question now, do we keep him to sprint races or stretch him out."
Brutal is the fifth foal of the stakes-placed Golan (IRE) mare Alberton Princess who is a three-quarter-sister to Group III ARC Eclipse Stakes winner Lady Alberton and a half-sister to Group II Matamata Breeders' Stakes winner Te Akau Rose and to the stakes-placed Dancing Bridges(the dam of stakes-winner Testarhythm) and to Alberton Rose (the dam of Group III winner Cavalry Rose).
Alberton Princess was sold for $75,000 at the 2016 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale when carrying a Sacred Falls colt.
That colt was sold to David Ellis for $170,000 at this year's yearling sale at Karaka.
Alberton Princess has a yearling colt by Ocean Park and was served by the Cox Plate-winning son of Thorn Park again last season.
Brutal is one of 76 live foals from the 18th and final crop of the Waikato Stud stalwart O'Reilly who died on the final day of 2014. Brutal is his 89thstakes-winner.
