The team unveiled our Italian Stallion on Sunday .He has film star looks , turns heads wherever he goes and today he showed a glimpse of what ability lurks in his impressive frame. The trainer has been bleating on to me since the day I arrived at DP that Merchant of Venice was the best horse since the great Bel Sprinter to grace the gallops at home. He has it all , physique , attitude and we believe the innate ability to go a long , long way. Sadly whether that’s with us or overseas remains to be played out.
It was only a maiden at Cranbourne but rarely does Ben Melham effuse post race. Three wide the trip he put the field away in a matter of strides , the turn of foot was no surprise to us but had good judges reaching for the phone. His price was slashed for the Guineas and we think he could be a Derby horse. What is certain is he will be even better in the Autumn. To his co owners a huge well done. This has been a huge financial commitment by both parties and they never wavered in their believe.Ian Macpherson who has selected a fair few special horses has always pegged him as first class and his judgement looks to still be in fine order.
To the trainer we say thank you . He has his stable flying and he handled the stress and pressure of Sunday in his normal relaxed manner. A great run by Trilli suggests we may have a very smart filly on our hands as well and adds further evidence that Jason can select a smart yearling.
Stable was alive Monday with talk of the Spring. We hope the Merchant stays with us but wherever he heads he will live up to the articles headline.
