After a frustrating sequence of 12 stakes placings in Western Australia, the Chris Gangemi-trained Durendal finally broke the drought in Saturday's Group III Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot.
Ridden by Shaun McGruddy, Durendal defeated Belter (Denman) by half a length with Scales Of Justice (Not A Single Doubt) one and a half lengths back in third.
The 7-year old gelding by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) was a reliable money winner for his breeder David Moodie when trained by Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra in Melbourne.
He won the Group III Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year's Day in 2016 before eventually being sold to continue his career in the west.
Third behind Viddora in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) last year, Durendal will be given his chance in the same race on December 1.
"Big relief and I couldn't be happier for the horse," Gangemi told the West Australian.
"Obviously everyone makes fun of him but he tries his heart out every start.
"He's just a little horse that either carries big weights or he's at weight-for-age and it's hard to beat the good ones.
"We thought all prep he'd come back better than ever.
"Obviously he's one of the leading WA chances (in the Winterbottom) now but it's going to be hard with all the eastern staters coming. He'll probably run top four or five like he always does."
With his first win in the west, Durendal advances his record to 8 wins, 9 seconds and 8 from 41 starts with earnings of $881,300.
He is the seventh named foal and fourth stakes-winner out of the wonderful producer, the Group III winner Razor Blade (Blazing Sword).
He is a half-brother to their dual Group 1 winner Flamberge (Exceed And Excel), Listed stakes-winner and Group I placed Curtana (Exceed And Excel), and the Group II winner Sunburnt Land (Scenic) who was killed by lightning while spelling after placing in the Group 1 Patinack Classic and Salinger Stakes.
Razor Blade died in July 2016. Her final foal is a 3yo Redoute's Choice gelding named Weapons Of Choice.
Medaglia D'Oro's shuttling career came to an end this year but he has seven yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions in January including a three-quarter brother to Durendal out of Curtana who is in the draft of Amarina Farm.
