It was his 14th win from 27 starts and trainer-driver Aldo Cortopassi is not only confident the gelding will perform strongly in the Nugget, but has the ability to develop into a leading candidate for the rich Fremantle Cup on January 9.

Total Defiance, who had won in stands at his previous four outings, started from the outside of the back line in Friday night's 2130m mobile event. Cortopassi did not bustle the gelding, who settled down in seventh position.

Total Defiance began a three-wide move 900m from home and he cruised past the pacemaker Victory Ball with 250m to travel and went on to score by three lengths from that pacer, rating a slick 1.57.6. Homer Lavros maintained his recent excellent form by running home solidly to be third.

Cortopassi said that Total Defiance, now an M2-class pacer, was most unlikely to contest a Nugget prelude next Friday night. He planned to give the gelding a week away from racing before running in the Nugget.

Ken Casellas