Godolphin's Piracy has proven too strong for a couple of more fancied rivals in the Pluck@Vinery Maiden Handicap (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The son of Exceed and Excel showed enough early promise to start as a $5.50 chance in the Breeders Plate on debut but was sent around at $9.50 on Wednesday after falling one short at Hawkesbury when resuming last start.
I'm A Legend was the $3 favourite after two impressive trials but it was Piracy that shot clear in the early part of the straight before holding out Chris Waller's fast finishing Al Mah Haha ($3.60) with a further length back to John Thompson's Cuba ($10) in third.
"I think he's a horse with a future and a very solid campaign ahead," James Cummings said.
"A lot of thanks has got to go to Scott Eeles and his breaker team at Kelvinside. We took him back there after his excellent first-up run at Hawkesbury.
"The horse has had his moments in the barriers and they been able to get on top of that.
"I loved the gap they put on the third horse at Hawkesbury when he resumed and he looks to have come on because I have a healthy respect for the opposition in this race."
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy echoed the thoughts of Cummings.
"It was a nice win," McEvoy said.
"When he picked up, he picked up quite quickly and I was left out in front on my own for about a furlong and a half and he just lost his way a little bit but he rallied the last bit.
"He's a nice type of horse, he's a strong unit. I'd be surprised if he can't feature in better races then what he won today."
