Unbeaten in winning his first four starts, Merchant Navy was sent to Sydney earlier in the spring for the Group I ATC Golden Rose, but endured a troubled run to finish tenth to Trapeze Artist.
Connections regrouped and while his trainer Ciaron Maher was sent to the sidelines as a result of suspension, Aaron Purcell stepped in to take over the colt and a new plan was formulated.
"We had a lot of discussion after the Golden Rose as to whether to go for the Guineas or Coolmore, which was ultimately thought to be the better option," said Aaron Purcell, whose decision proved justified.
Merchant Navy - images Grant Courtney
"I just waited and waited," said an elated winning rider Mark Zahra.
"I thought I'd run out of time!
"It was a great decision not to go to the Guineas. They freshened him up, put the blinkers on and dropped him back in trip. It was great planning from Aaron Purcell and his team."
A $350,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Segenhoe Stud draft for Ciaron Maher Racing, Merchant Navy is a full brother to Group II winner Jolie Bay and stakes-placed Zara Bay.
With five wins from six starts and prizemoney just shy of $1million, Merchant Navy is raced by a syndicate that includes Darren Thomas's Seymour Bloodstock, who tasted success earlier in the day when winning the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes with Pierro colt Levendi.
"There's a great bunch of owners in this horse including Peter O'Brien (Segenhoe) and the Coolmore boys," Thomas said.
"I'm speechless. To have a winner earlier in the day and now this, it's just awesome!"
Merchant Navy as a yearling
Legally Bay has a yearling colt by All Too Hard and was covered again by Fastnet Rock last year.
Merchant Navy is the 30th Group I winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock and in winning this race has sealed a stud career at the farm of his choosing, which most likely will be Coolmore given their involvement in his ownership.
