Twisted Steel was the centre of strong support before facing the starter for the first time at Northam last Wednesday and he gave jockey Willie Pike and favourite punters a comfortable ride in the Prominence Maiden (1100m).
Backed from $2.35 into $1.90, the Simon Miller-trained 2yo hit the ground running before taking control from early leader Seastic (Hanseatic) with the advantage of a rails-hugging ride by Pike. He cornered in front and that’s the last they saw of him except for a cast near-hind plate!
The Rommel gelding spaced a city-class midweek nursery to score by more than four lengths from Bradbury’s Moment (Bradbury’s Luck) and Guarantor (Playing God). The stable was confident after two nice trials and some very encouraging trackwork prior to his debut at Northam.
“He did everything right,” Miller’s rep Kelly Kinninmont said. “And that was especially good to see because he can get up to a few tricks at home.” Pike was also pleased with the faultless display. “I thought he might be a bit fierce but he was a gentleman. He felt good and went through the gears.”
Twisted Steel’s older full-brother Rise To Glory won a Northam maiden last October and graduated to an Ascot victory in March for Gold Front owner-trainer Sue Olive.
Jason Cheetham bred them from Real Beauty (I Am Invincible) who is a full-sister to Mandurah Cup winner Real Danger and her latest foal is a filly by Maschino. Second-dam Real Charm (Reset) was a Listed winner of the 2014 Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) and Starstruck Classic (1600m) at Ascot.
Other winners this season for Cheetham, who breeds under the Goldlight Nominees banner, include Hong Kong-based Sterling Wongchoy (Demerit) and Pearce Racing’s $570,000 earner Sinful Living (Safeguard).
