Brackets looks capable of bouncing back and should relish the company he faces in the Westspeed Handicap (1000m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
Brackets was afforded no luxury at his maiden city appearance when he was caught three wide with no cover on top of the speed at Ascot last month.
The gelding then copped a heavy bump near the 350m before finishing the race off stoutly and finishing sixth and two lengths from Castle Retreat.
Brackets, prepared by leading trainer, Adam Durrant, was backing up after posting a stylish maiden win on debut at Northam on November 19.
“It looks a nice race for him and he has pulled up well from Northam,” said Durrant.
“He is a nice gentle big bugger who has come a long way in a short time.
“His run the other day was full of merit.
“He sat wide and when Willie (Pike) was going to let go on him and get him into the race he copped that ‘shit mixer’.
“It put him right off balance and Willie was confident he still have a bit left in the tank.
“He only went down by a couple of lengths and wasn’t fully tested.
“I think it was a pretty strong rating race and if you look at the horses in it there were no slouches competing.
“Going back to midweek company you think he will be pretty hard to beat.”
Dangers to Brackets include Jim Taylor’s Baraki Beats who has strong claims on his last-start third to Oradol when beaten a short-neck.
Balmont Charge and Iza Maori Boy, stepping out for their official first appearances, come into consideration after trial wins.
Durrant, fresh from a feature double at Ascot on Saturday, strengthened his lead in the Trainer’s Premiership.
Real Love in the Queens Cup (2200m) and Real Charm in the Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) boosted his season tally.
| Durrant | 32.5 |
| Parnham | 23 |
| Williams | 18 |
| Taylor | 12 |
| Miller | 11.5 |
| Warwick | 11 |
| Morton | 10 |
RWWA: Julio Santarelli