Brutal (NZ) Brilliant in Doncaster

Karaka graduate Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly) produced a brilliant performance on Saturday to beat a stellar field of older horses in one of Australia’s most famous races, the A$3 million Group 1 The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.

It continued a proud recent record for Karaka graduates in the Doncaster, with Sacred Falls (NZ) (O’Reilly) winning it in 2013 and 2014 and Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) in 2015. Both of those horses now stand at stud.

Brutal was a last-start second behind world-champion mare Winx (Street Cry) in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m). The $220,000 Premier Sale purchase was lining up on Saturday for just the seventh start of his exciting career.

Jumping from gate 21 in a capacity field, the colt was sent forward by rider Glen Boss to sit outside the early leader Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock).

Brutal quickened stylishly in the straight, passing that rival and going clear, beating Dreamforce by a length. Multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell (Authorized) was another length and a half away in third.

“He’s a super colt, he’s an absolute star,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes. “There’s just so many people to thank. These owners have been fantastic for us. They’ve let us do what we wanted to do. We always knew we had the right horse.

“With only 49 kilograms and after he ran second to Winx, we were confident this was the right race for him.”

Boss, who has now won the Doncaster seven times, was blown away by Brutal’s performance. It was his first ride on the three-year-old.

“I’m in awe of the colt,” he said. “I know they’ve got light weights and he got himself in a spot, but he just cantered to the 1000 metres. He gave me that real soft feel. He just felt confident underneath me. There was never a point in the race when I thought I was going to lose. He hit a few flat spots on the track, but within one stride he came straight back underneath me. He has very good control of his body.”

The Doncaster was the fourth win of Brutal’s seven-start career and lifted his prize-money earnings to A$2.289 million – more than 10 times his purchase price.

He 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.

Brutal was bred by Ruth Kerr-Taylor and Ann Storey, and he was offered in Mapperley Stud’s draft at the 2017 Premier Sale.

A half-brother by Ocean Park was offered in Book 1 earlier this year, failing to meet his $30,000 reserve.