Talented three-year-old Mr Bully Tee broke through for a richly deserved maiden victory on his home track when winning at Hawke's Bay on Tuesday.
Prepared by Sue Thompson and Mick Brown, the son of Complacent came from back in the field to cruise to a soft victory under a confident ride by Michael McNab.
“He was bred by Butch Thomas who is a New Zealander that lives in America,” Brown said. “He has got a place called Willow Tree Farm just up the road in Hastings.
“He was going to go to the Ready To Run Sale but all of a sudden Mr Bully Tee realised he was a colt and we had to geld him.
“We put him away and he had a couple of nice jump-outs and we always thought he was a nice horse. We ran him in what turned out to be some very nice races early on.
“We had him marked as a Derby horse and then he pulled a muscle in his back end. We missed the Derby and gave him a spell and brought him back. He was a bit unlucky at his first start back and then he showed what a nice horse he is today.”
Leading rider McNab was given no instructions and returned to the winner's circle with a good report.
“He was very positive. He said put him away and bring him to the (Hawke's Bay) Carnival. He is a lovely horse that will win a lot of races for you.
We think he will get 2000m no problem. If there was a maiden mile today, we would have run him in that.
Brown was also pleased with the efforts of stablemate Fancy Like Lass, who was beaten a nose by Imwonderfultonight, with more than six lengths to the third horse.
“I did think she'd win today,” Brown said. “I thought she was a good thing at Tauherenikau (when fifth) but things didn't go to plan.
“I think she came up against a decent horse today which had good form in Australia.
“She has shown plenty and she might have one more run before we bring her back for spring as well.”