Highly promising Delago Brom 2YO, Delago Bolt, became the initial horse to grab a metropolitan bonus in the $2.5 million race series by taking out the Golden Slipper Festival Handicap over 1200m at Rosehill on Saturday (7 February).

It also snared Delago Brom a two-state, two-day double with the win following on from De Fine Lago’s three panel romp over 2044m at Mornington on Friday (6 February).

Purchased from Grange Thoroughbreds for $50,000 at the 2008 Inglis Melbourne Premier, Delago Bolt’s earnings zoomed to $157,800 with Saturday’s victory, courtesy of the $100k bonus.

Trained by the astute, Gary Portelli, Delago Bolt opened his account last October with a good fifth in the Breeders’ Plate-LR behind the unbeaten Real Saga (winner of the Blue Diamond Prelude-G3 on Saturday), before returning with a lip second over 1100m at Rosehill on 17 January.

Following the win on Saturday, Gary Portelli told media: “He (Delago Bolt) was just a great type at the sales, an athlete out of a good mare and we are looking for two-year-old types.

“Every time we saw him after we bought him he just kept developing and he is quite a nice colt.

“Delago Bolt gives the impression he will get up to a mile. The way he settled in that race you would think he would get seven or eight furlongs (1400-1600m) and perhaps he will show that turn of foot that you need in those races.”

From the Barathea mare Bardego, a Group winner at two, Delago Bolt clearly has plenty of promise and should continue to make his presence felt before autumn leaves.

Meanwhile, De Fine Lago appears to have more than his share of ability, with the 3YO breaking through for a much deserved victory at Mornington.

Racing twice at two and resuming with a midfield performance in November, De Fine Lago has really hit his straps since a ‘freshen up’, compiling a third and three seconds in as many starts before the Mornington maul.

Racing out of Tony Vasil’s stable, De Fine Lago is is from the Flying Spur mare, Fine Glass, and was purchased at the 2007 Melbourne Premier for $32,500.

A half brother to three winners, De Fine Lago hails from a North American black type family.