I'm Thunderstruck's half-brother Primal Spirit impresses on debut

He's got a long way to go to match the feats of his brilliant half-brother I'm Thunderstruck, but Primal Spirit showed he possesses his fair share of ability with an impressive debut win on Tuesday.

Heavily-backed to jump a $2.80 favourite in the Yarrawonga Hotel Maiden Plate (1212m) at Benalla, Primal Spirit followed in the footsteps of I'm Thunderstruck who also scored by a nose at his first outing.

Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the three-year-old gelding had a mountain to climb off a slow start but dug deep under the urgings of Thomas Stockdale to prevail in a blanket finish - with just 0.6 lengths separating the first five across the line.

"He raced a little bit ungenerously throughout and I wasn't expecting him to finish so strongly," Stockdale said post-race.

"It's good to see him put a win up on the board and I think once he learns his caper he's going to be an even better horse."

In a race led by 100-1 roughie Grisbi's Pal, Primal Spirit found himself badly held-up at the top of the straight before Stockdale was able to extricate off heels with around 175m to run.

Once balanced up, the favourite picked up strongly to mow down a brave Grisbi's Pal after spotting the leader at least six lengths at the furlong marker.

I'm Thunderstruck, who died in shock circumstances last year, won seven races including the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes and Golden Eagle.