Mapperley Stud graduate Brutal made a winning return on Saturday in the $500,000 Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick. In his first start since the winning the $3 million Gr.1 Doncaster Hcp (1600m), Brutal scored a convincing victory against a quality field of elite Gr.1 sprinters. The dominant style of his victory has changed the Everest picture with Brutal now a leading contender for the $14 million dollar feature. Slot holders will be circling around the talented 4year-old sprinter after he easily accounted for the highly rated Classique Legend and Osborne Bulls.

There was a heavy flow of late support on track for Brutal suggesting trainers Hawkes Racing had him rock hard fit for his first-up assignment in the Spring. Ridden brilliantly by star jockey Tommy Berry, he confirmed the star 3year-old was back bigger and stronger this preparation. His impressive performance has given connections a huge amount of confidence going into his main target this preparation the $7.5 million Golden Eagle, a newly created race restricted to 4year-olds.