Promising Winner for Merchant Navy

Tara Madgwick - Friday November 11

Merchant Navy had two runners at Canterbury on Friday night and very nearly posted a winning double with Royal Merchant saluting as favourite and promising filly Maritima finishing a gallant second.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Royal Merchant was fifth on debut back in June behind subsequent stakes-winner Kibou and was well fancied on his return following some encouraging efforts at the trials.

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Royal Merchant sped clear to win the 1100m maiden by more than two lengths under Jason Collett ad there are more wins in store.

A $1

60,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Edinburgh Park draft for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Royal Merchant is the first winner for Seventhchic, a metro winning half-sister to stakes-placed Alburq tracing in tail female line to blue hen Eau D’Etoile, the dam of Group I winners Bint Marscay, Filante and Kenny’s Best Pal.

Royal Merchant as a yearling, was bred and sold by Edinburgh Park.

Edinburgh Park will offer a yearling colt by The Autumn Sun from Seventhchic at Magic Millions 2023 as Lot 359.

The Chris Waller trained Maritima is yet to miss a place in four starts and was second beaten half a length in the 1550m maiden with her turn in the winner’s circle sure to come.

Merchant Navy stands at Coolmore at a fee of $27,500 and has 11 entries for Magic Millions 2023.

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Race Result - Munch Express Mdn Hcp 1100m

Canterbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:04.62
1
Royal Merchant
- 3f Merchant Navy (AUS) x Seventhchic (AUS) (Seventh Reason (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J R Collett 58
2
2.3
Spiritchaser
- 3f Show A Heart (AUS) x Charmana Star (AUS) (Skilful Star (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: K S Latham 58
3
4.6
Afterlight
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Twilight Royale (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 58
4
6.5
Zip On By
- 3f Sebring (AUS) x Zoe's Image (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: L J Bridge Rdr: C Schofield 58.5
5
6.6
Royal Promise
- 3f Hallowed Crown (AUS) x Fulfilled Promise (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: J C Coyle Rdr: Tyler Schiller 57
6
6.7
Gently Rolled
- 3f Press Statement (AUS) x Exultation (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Bryce Heys Rdr: N Rawiller 58.5
7
7.2
Windsong
- 3f Sizzling (AUS) x Cee Gee Dancer (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: B K Cross Rdr: Amy Mc Lucas 54
8
7.3
Kap Honcho
- 3f Caravaggio (USA) x Imperial Consort (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: Zac Lloyd 54
9
8.4
Floradora
- 3f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Downtown Manhattan (AUS) (Manhattan Rain (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 58.5
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