Gran Torino celebrated the Happy 2nd Birthday Cushion Track Hcp in style at Toowoomba on Saturday evening.  She is by former Raheen Stud sire Shovhog and raced away to win the 850m sprint by more than four lengths.

Gran Torino (3f Shovhog – Impediment by Canny Lad) collected a QTIS bonus as part of the $13,500 prizemoney for owner Peter Burnitt and local trainer Tony Sears.

“She’s a very smart filly and I will take her back to Brisbane in three weeks,” Sears said.  “We only started on Saturday night to give her a hit-out and the QTIS bonus helps pay the bills.”

The winner started an odds-on favourite first-up after a six month spell.  At her previous start in February, Gran Torino led them up at Doomben and was beaten less than a length by Skating On Ice and Steel Zip.

Gran Torino was bred by Gainsborough Lodge owner Col Richards who is also a Brisbane Bloodstock director.  Sears bought her for $20,000 at the 2009 Brisbane Bloodstock yearling sale.

Saturday’s win improved her record to 8: 5-0-3 with earnings of $47,000.  She is a half-sister to G2 AJC Light Fingers Stakes winner Street Smart (Lion Hunter).