The Joe Pride-trained Brutality has returned to the winner’s stall with a determined performance at Rosehill.
Joe Pride pinpointed two horses as his stable’s bankers for the winter and up until a week ago, he was questioning his assessment.
But that quickly turned on its head as both gallopers scored wins in the space of seven days, Stockman in the McKell Cup last weekend and Brutality in the Keith Free OAM Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Brutality was on a seven-day back-up after finishing fourth to his stablemate and Pride was thrilled to see him put another victory on the board.
“He is a super reliable horse and I’m so glad to see him win today because it has been a winless preparation for him,” Pride said.
“Him and Stockman, going into last week, neither of them had won a race and I thought they were going to be the stars of the winter for me.
“But they’ve both got a win now for me in consecutive weeks.”
Riding Brutality ($8.50) for the first time, Regan Bayliss let the gelding find his feet in the early stages and he surged late towards the inside to snatch victory by a half-length over Mubariz ($8.50) with Great House ($1.95 fav) another nose away.
Pride praised Bayliss’ steering and predicted it wouldn’t be the last time he rode the horse.
“It was a very good effort today and an absolute 10 out of 10 ride from Regan. He’s never won like that before coming up the inside,” Pride said.
“He’d never ridden him before but I think he might have the seat up on him for a little while now.”
