Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Officiate was favourite for the 1550m maiden after resuming from a spell with a good second at Randwick last month.
He found the line well coming from back in the field to score a head win at his third start.
“He didn’t quite know how to put them away, but he was the fit horse today and had to dig deep, but got the job done,” said stable representative Charlie Duckworth.
“He’ll take good confidence going forward.”
Bred by Coolmore, Officiate was a $300,000 Magic million spurchase from the Coolmore drft for KO Thoroughbreds/Munce Racing/Arthur Hoyeau and was then re-offered in the KO Racing draft at the Horses in Training Sale where Yulong snapped him up for $700,000 to top the sale.
Officiate is a half-sister to stakes-placed Lady Young and is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Port Augusta, a half-sister by Encosta de Lago to dual Group I winner and champion 2YO Colt Holy Roman Emperor, Group III winner Milanova and stakes-winners Big Viking and Heart of Oak.
The family has also produced Group I New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest so further may well be better for Officiate.
