Bargain buy VENOM RUSH broke his maiden in some style with a deadly finish at Murwillumbah on Friday.  

The $1,500 online purchase is still very much a work in progress but he produced a devastating turn of foot to hit the board at career start number two in the Maiden Plate (1200m).  

Given a patient ride by Brandon Lerena, the 3YO looked to have his work cut out after the race favourite had put a margin on his rivals in the home straight.     

But under the urgings of his pilot, VENOM RUSH mowed down the long-time leader to justify Michael’s opinion of him.  

“I really like this horse and I think he’s got a good future,” he said.

“It’s taken quite a long time just to get the basics into him, but he’s always shown us something in the stables. He’s slowly getting there now and there’s still a lot to come, so to do what he did today was pretty impressive. He really went off in the mounting yard at Beaudsert so his parade was much better today, but there’s still plenty of progress ahead with his manners and education.” 

Many congratulations to his owners: S U Liyanasuriya, Mr U S Liyansuriya, A P Parkinson, Mr M Romeo, Mr A Latina, Mr G T Stephenson, Mr G S Curtiss, Pig Sty, Mr A W Mcleod, Mr A M C Pearson, Mr G A Bishop, Mr P Beddoe, Mr J Wijey and Mr B D Clarke.