The transition from Ascot to Belmont Park on Saturday provided young trainer Chris Gangemi with a major spike in confidence.
Searching to end a frustrating summer campaign, Gangemi got it with Twelve Rounds in the opening race of the winter season.
The Not A Single Doubt colt could have ended Gangemi’s misery at summer headquarters earlier if not for shin soreness.
Held back from feature juvenile races, Twelve Rounds showed a portent of things to come with a promising win on debut
Showing speed first-up, the $75,000 yearling jumped to the lead from an inside gate and just held out favourite Glitterbell.
“We had 10 seconds at Ascot and about 30 in the money without a winner so to win the first race at Belmont was exactly how I wanted to start,” said Gangemi on Tabradio.
“I was pretty happy throughout the race until about the 100 metre mark and I thought ‘don’t you dare get beat’.
“He was bred to be a two-year-old and it’s a shame we couldn’t get him up and going for the big races.
“He unfortunately went a bit shinny and this was the earliest we could get him there.
“Maybe it might benefit him later down the track and he can develop into a nice three-year-old.
“Hopefully it sets up a few good months at Belmont.
“He is still a bit green and has a fair bit of improvement in him.
“He has pulled up well and all going ok he will have another run in a fortnight.”
Gangemi said stable mate Rock Magic was primed to have a big crack at the Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Belmont in a fortnight.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding is poised to be at peak fitness for the $125,000 feature after two runs back this campaign.
Rock Magic ran fourth to boom sprinter Sheidel and placed third to Dawn Approach in Sunday’s Northam Stakes (1100m).
“He has come along nicely and his two runs have been good,” said Gangemi.
“He carried 60.5kg first up when underdone and is getting fitter with every start.
“He should be spot on for the Roma Cup and Belmont Sprint.”