Twisted Steel got his career off to a flying start when he raced away to score by four lengths in a 1100m maiden at Northam on Wednesday.
A heavily backed $1.90 favourite under William Pike, Simon Miller’s two-year-old Rommel gelding virtually led throughout in a dominant debut performance that smacks of better things to come.
All the rage and coming into the race after a successful trial, Twisted Steel gave his owners an immediate financial return after he was bought for $100,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling sale.
Exiting barrier three, Twisted Steel worked his way to the front in the early stages and from that point he was never headed or troubled by his opposition, cruising to the line untouched and doing as he pleased.
Displaying explosive speed in the straight, Twisted Steel proved far too superior for Bradbury’s Moment, who ran second with Guarantor holding down third position.
Stable representative Kelli Kinninmont said it was good to see Twisted Steel perform on race day when it mattered.
“It was good to see him do everything right, because he can be a quirky horse,” Kinninmont said.
“He can get up to a few tricks at home, but his gallops and trial have been excellent.
“He’s definitely one of the front runners in the stable at the moment.”
Pike had a fair idea on what was to come for Twisted Steel but was rapt in how the newcomer behaved stepping out for the first time officially.
“I’ve ridden him before and I was concerned he might be a bit fierce, but today (Wednesday) he was a gentleman,” Pike said.
“He felt nice and had some gears.”
Pike was back in the winner's enclosure soon after when steering Silent Armada to victory in race three, a member of Adam Durrant’s team.
The Merchant Navy three-year-old was resuming after making his debut at Northam last September when unplaced behind Let’s Talk.
Capping a good afternoon, Pike claimed a riding treble when aboard True Player for co-trainers, Grant and Alana Williams.
Julio Santarelli