Brilliance fresh

Fresh, having his first run since the summer, promising four-year-old Brillanconi could not have been more impressive saluting in easy fashion at Echuca on Monday.

Kicking off his preparation in a 1412m ratings event, the bay really found the line well to record the sixth victory of his 16 start career.

“He has got good ability,” said stable representative Greg Hoysted, “and he was just a bit better than these.”

Storming home over his rivals to win by a soft 2.3 lengths, Brillanconi looks set for a successful campaign and his victory was a significant one for Audrey Guillemin – her second Australian winner.

“I’d like to thank Michael and the team at home,” she enthused upon dismounting, “everyone does a great job.”

Always confident during the running, Guillemin had faith in her charge – “he is a horse who just keeps going,” she said, “I knew he’d have enough gas at the end.”

Brillanconi was well ridden by Guillemin who had walked the track earlier in the day, finding that the better going was out wide.

Raced by Terence, Bernadette and Caitlin Tobin, Brillanconi boasts a very Victorian pedigree, being a son of Swettenham Stud’s reliable stallion Bianconi out of Thrilladilla – daughter of the now retired stalwart Umatilla.

Thrilladilla, a half sister to the Listed winner Matsqui, is out of a half sister to the dual Group winner Tangent, the Listed winner Cub Caper and the Hong Kong Derby runner up Bright Fire.