The 1300m maiden at Bendigo on Thursday featured a big competitive field, but at the winning post there was just on ehorse in the race and that was a first starter by Triple Crown hero Justify (USA).
Trained by the Griffiths De Kock partnership, talented gelding Verdad was easy in the market, but was in a class of his own bolting clear to win by nearly four lengths for Beau Mertens over race favourite Copacobana, an expensive son of Toronado (IRE).
Verdad tracked the leader and was much too good in the closing stages suggesting longer trips will hold no fears.
A $65,000 Inglis Premier purchase from Merricks Station for Tim Nolen, he was re-offered in the Nolen Racing draft at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale last year where his trainers and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds picked him up for $150,000 after he breezed in 10.65 seconds.
Verdad is the third winner from three foals to race from Group III placed Magnus mare Whistle Baby, who has a yearling filly by Justify that made $50,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale this year for Merricks Station when bought by Rich River Meat Exports Pty Ltd
Justify was the Champion First Crop sire last season and has been quickly into stride with his spring three year-olds including stakes-placed Scentify and Legacies, who has accepted for the Listed VRC Exford Plate against the colts at Flemington on Saturday and is early favourite.
