The lone three-year-old in the Benchmark 78 event over 1200m at Randwick on Saturday, Hellbent gelding Hell I Am again showed his liking for heavy ground when forging clear for a decisive win.
Ridden by Willie Pike for John O’Shea, the Champion Thoroughbred colourbearer had a big weight advantage over his rivals and on the heavy 10 track he made full use of it.
Hell I Am has made swift progress since being gelded and now has the overall record of three wins and a second from seven starts with prizemoney just shy of $200,000.
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase for Champion Thoroughbreds from the Edinglassie Thoroughbreds draft, Hell I Am is the first winner for stakes-placed Forest Circle (USA), who comes from the family of US Group I winner Carriage Trail.
Forest Circle was one of 148 mares covered last spring by Hellbent, who remains at a fee of $22,000.
Hell I Am has helped his sire to a flying start for the new season and he currently leads all second season sirs by winners and earnings.