One to Watch – Cranbourne

Tara Madgwick - Sunday August 26

Dundeel was not the only sire son of High Chaparral (IRE) to have an impressive debut winner at Cranbourne on Sunday.

So You Think colt Merchant of Venice will have his trainer Jason Warren thinking about classic races this season following his fast finishing victory in the 1300 metre maiden.

Drawn one from the outside in the field of 13, Merchant of Venice was allowed to find his feet by Ben Melham, but when angled into the clear turning for home he quickly strode clear to win eased down by more than two lengths.

"He’s a lovely colt that’s bred to get further, so we just wanted to switch him off and see what he could do,” said Melham.

"I like the feel he gave me. He’s a horse destined for better things.”

A $105,000 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for Wattle Grove Thoroughbreds, Merchant of Venice is the second winner from Group III winner Veronica Franco, a half-sister by Johar (USA) to stakes-winners Diamond Hailey and Waterford.

With his oldest progeny just turned five, So You Think is the sire of 13 stakes-winners, four of them Group I winners including three potential spring stars in D’Argento, La Bella Diosa and Sopressa.

So You Think stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $44,000.

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