[PHOTO: Western Racepix]
Lightly-raced four-year-old Toronado Rocket scored an impressive victory at Belmont on Wednesday when opening his winning account in TABtouch Have You Got The Touch Maiden (1200m).
Having his second start back from a near-12 month lay off, the Toronado gelding jumped from barrier 12 and was given a beautiful ride by William Pike when slotting in one-out and three-back in running.
He peeled into the clear on straightening and let down with a sharp turn of acceleration to reel in his rivals and then pull away over the late stages to defeat Watto’s Warrior ($201) by more than one-and-a-half lengths.
Quokka Rocka ($41) finished a further head away in third place.
Bred by Oakland Park Stud, Toronado Rocket has now had four career starts for a win and two minor placings and appears to have above-average ability.
Pearce Racing will saddle up Climb On Top at the final prime Belmont meeting of the year on Saturday before Sunday’s annual Toodyay Cup meeting where stablemates Desert Edge, Desert Madame and Scenic Boom are engaged.