Impressive debut winner Brutal(NZ) (O'Reilly) stepped up to stakes level on Saturday and kept his unbeaten record intact, heading a Karaka quinella in the A$120,000 Listed McMahon's Dairy McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Bought for $220,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale, Brutal created a huge impression with a five-length romp at Caulfield on July 14.
Saturday's race was his first big test along the road to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October, for which he is among the favourites, and he was up to the task.
With Dwayne Dunn in the saddle, Brutal chased down the $130,000 Premier Sale graduateTavisan(NZ) (Tavistock) and lunged for the line to win by a long neck.
"He had to put him to the sword today, but I did like the last 50 metres, the way he flattened out," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
"When they're $1.50 everyone expects them to win by five lengths. You don't have to win by big margins, you only have to get the job done. This is only his second race start and it's all new to him.
"It was good that he got in behind them and relaxed and went to sleep and then fire up and dig deep. He hadn't run for five weeks and we've got to see how much he blows now, that's the main thing. In a normal race, the second horse careers away and wins."
Brutal was bred by Ruth Kerr-Taylor and Anne Storey and is raced by R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Pulitano Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, B & C Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Mr S J Bates, Mrs D L Bates, Mr H J Chapman, Mrs J S Willis, Mr D V Russo and Gurners Bloodstock Co.
He has now had two starts for two wins, earning A$128,000 in prize-money.
From the final crop of O'Reilly, Brutal is a son of the stakes-placed mareAlberton Princess(NZ) (Golan). The colt's full-sisterTalaria(NZ) (O'Reilly) is also a stakes winner.
| Vendor | Mapperley Stud |
| Purchaser | Hawkes Racing (New South Wales) |
| Breeding | O'Reilly – Alberton Princess |
| Sale | Lot 33, 2017 Premier Sale, $220,000 |
| Bred by | Mrs R Kerr-Taylor & Mrs A K Storey |
