Right from the time Hermanito had his first race start he had big shoes to fill.
A younger brother of multiple Group One winner Brazen Beau, Hermanito was expected, in some circles, to follow in those illustrious footsteps.
While Brazen Beau was able to score on debut, it took until start five for Hermanito to break his maiden status.
That came in Wednesday’s Schweppes Maiden (1400m) at Sandown when the Darren Weir-trained three-year-old scrapped home in a blanket finish.
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Hermanito ($3) scored a half-neck win over Savvy Ken ($41) with the heavily support debutant, and $2.80 favourite, Jungle Fish, a short-half-head away third.
Rawiller hopes now that Hermanito has broken through for his initial victory further success will come his way.
He said the colt had been green and not running through the line in the closing stages of his races, but was much better on Wednesday.
“I thought turning for home I was in a bit of trouble,” Rawiller said.
“I was having trouble trying to catch the second horse, but then the other horses out wide came up to us and he clicked up a bit.
“To his credit he was able to get the job done.
“He’s a bull (colt) and the penny hasn’t fully dropped yet and hopefully there’s a lot more in store for him.
“It might even be next preparation for him.”
Weir continued on his winning way Won Ball took out Polytrack Handicap
He completed a treble when Holy Blade took out the Dream Thoroughbreds Handicap, giving the stable nine city winners from the past three metropolitan meetings.
