Brutal left it late against Tavisan (Image: Racing Photos)
Team Hawkes remain undecided on a Group 1 target for Brutal after the colt won Saturday's Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
The son of O'Reilly holds a nomination for the Caulfield Guineas over a mile, while the Coolmore Stud Stakes is the obvious alternative if they choose to stick to the sprints.
"That's the biggest question we have to look at. We'll have to go back, take stock and watch the replay because we really had no plan after today," co-trainer Wayne Hawes said of the $1.50 pop before indicating the stable was happy to see the three-year-old show the qualities he would need to run a mile.
"It was good to see him get in behind them and relax."
WATCH: Hear from Hawkes
There's 'no race that will decided' where Brutal goes but his win here was remarkably different to his debut victory back in July.
At The Valley he was forced to chase, the win was more tradesman-like than his Caulfield triumph. While not as pretty, it proved the colt is more than one dimensional.
"That was tougher for him but once he balanced up he really lengthened well," winning jockey Dwayne Dunn said.
Tavisan ($34) led and gave a good kick into the straight but class prevailed while Leonardo Da Hinchi wasn't disgraced back in third.
Brutal is now the $9 favourite with BetEasy for the $2 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 13.
WATCH: Brutal's win