Local two-year-old Hard Merchandize proved a class above his rivals when he scored handsomely on his Awapuni home turf on the weekend.

The Burgundy gelding made it win number two from just 4 starts when he eased to victory in the hands of Hayden Tinsley over 1200 metres on a testing Heavy10 surface. Carrying the hot pink colours of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, who were raising funds through an on-course promotion on the day, Tinsley never really had the showy bay out of third gear as he sat outside the early pace.

Asked for an effort at the top of the straight Hard Merchandize found a good kick which sent him clear of his five rivals as he maintained a solid gallop to score by a length and three-quarters while still under a firm grip from Tinsley.

Trainer Gary Vile was delighted with the effort after making some minor gear adjustments leading into the race.

"He answered a few questions," said Vile.

"He had to handle the track and we wanted him to sit in behind them. He's done all that today.

"He came back in after the Sires Produce with his tongue over the bit so we introduced the tongue tie and it seems to have worked."

Hard Merchandize, who had finished fifth in the Gr. 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at his last run, credited Cambridge Stud based stallion Burgundy with his first winner when successful on debut at Otaki in November. The son of Encosta De Lago mare Pride And Passion was a $38,000 purchase for Vile at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale at Karaka from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.