Brooklyn Hustle, ridden by Dwayne Dunn, wins at The Valley (Image: Racing Photos/Pat Scala)
After promising so much as a young horse, Brooklyn Hustle looks poised to deliver this spring after the four-year-old mare went from last to first in the matter of strides to record a stunning first-up win at The Valley on Saturday.
In what was a similar performance to her debut when she beat subsequent The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes in a two-year-old race at The Valley in late 2018, Brooklyn Hustle produced a sizzling finishing burst near the inside rail to reel in the leaders in just a few bounds before clearing out to win her 1000-metre benchmark 78 handicap by three and a half lengths.
Trainer Jason Warren was careful of not thinking too far ahead, especially after the problems that beset the horse and restricted her to just five more starts in her two and three-year-olds seasons before her first up run on Saturday.
"It’s just good to have the monkey off our back," the relieved Warren said.
"She’s been carrying a few knockers, the filly. She did such a tremendous job last prep. She was hampered by issues right before she’d had her first start so to get her back here today in such good order, it’s just a tribute to Rosemont Stud and Mark Young, and my team back at home.
"She came here today off one soft jump out and we came here looking to use this run as a second trial going into better races. So, I’m pleased to see her resume as we knew she was capable of.
"For me, I took a bit of a bold step coming here today off one soft jump out but I believe in the horse so much and I just feel that she’s on her way up."
WATCH: Brooklyn Hustle wins at The Valley
Brooklyn Hustle, $2.40 favourite with BetEasy, had plenty up her sleeve as she cruised to the line three and a half lengths clear of Propelle ($5.50) with a head to A Good Yarn ($8.50) in third place.
Dwayne Dunn said he knew he was in for a ride when he left the yard aboard the mare.
"She’s all class," Dunn said. "As soon as I cantered off on the track you could see that she’s a machine. We’ve seen it before and we need to see it again."
As for Dunn's explanation of his ride when back at the tail of the field, Dunn said: "It wasn’t working out that well for me in the early-mid race stages but you can see the acceleration, that turn-of-foot, and that’s a great asset.
"I think today’s event was more about getting her confidence back and getting her back as good as what she was. Hopefully she can go onto bigger and better things.
"Lovely filly going forward and looking forward to it."