Trainer Brett Pope unlocked a raw talent when he found the key to Prohurst Express.

Pope discovered the son of Danehill Express does best when his runs are spaced.  “We were backing him up too quickly,” the Pinjarra based trainer admitted after the TAB Touch Hcp (1000m) at Belmont on Wednesday.  “He was first-up today and I’m stoked.  We didn’t bother with a trial he was that sharp at home.”

Prohurst Express (4g Danehill Express – Prohurst by Protos) received the run of the race and then peeled off the heels of Tiff’s Special to score by more than a length in a quick 58.67s.  “I told Lucy we were confident,” Pope added after the gelding landed an $8 to $5.50 gamble.  “His form tends to taper off so he will have a light campaign.  We will let up and then go again in about three weeks.”

Prohurst Express is a homebred for Bernie Stephens and is a half-brother to the stakes winners La Sirenuse (G3 MRC Carlyon Cup), Hartleys Dream (LR Raconteur Stakes) and Paradise Park (G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes).

Their dam Prohurst is a half-sister to G1 Railway Stakes winner Machine Gun Tom and the dam of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh.  “I have a lot of time for him,” Pope said.  “He’s from a very good family.”

Danehill Express has sired the winners of 80 races this season and was denied the chance to add more black-type to that total when pre-post favourite North Ridge was scratched from the G3 Belmont Guineas this Saturday.

Mungrup Stud will stand Danehill Express for a $4,400 (inc gst) fee this year.