Resuming for his second race campaign, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Justify (USA) gelding Condone got the job done at just his third start, with the $1.3m yearling graduate breaking his maiden in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Second on debut before finishing down the track behind his stablemate Shangri La Boy (Pierro), who would go on to win the G3 ATC Gloaming Stakes at his next start, Condone was sent for a break and off the back of two nice trial efforts, resumed as the second favourite in the field of seven.
Straight to the lead under Adam Hyeronimus after jumping from a wide gate, Condone took up the running with David Payne’s last start runner-up Clanwilliam settling in second with the Tom Charlton trained race favourite Graffiti Tycoon with just a few behind him.
With Hyeronimus controlling the tempo, the Justify gelding kicked just before the home turn, and although the favourite made late ground, it was too late as the Coolmore Stud colour-bearer took out the race, winning by a half-length margin.
Working home very well after not having the best of luck in the run, Graffiti Tycoon finished a solid second with Ocean Park gelding Konsa (NZ) doing his best work late for third.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s stable representative was suitable impressed with the maiden victory.
“You know, his trials have been very sound, particularly his last one.”
“He just needed that to top him off for today and you know, great ride by Adam. He just took bad luck out of the equation, jumped to the front and stayed there.
“I think he's more versatile than just leading and I think, with today out of the way, I think we can look to getting out over longer trips as well.”
Purchased for $1.3m by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and well as Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds, from the Magic Millions yearling sale draft of Coolmore Stud, Condone is the first foal to race from the I Am Invincible mare Invincible Star who was trained by the stable to multiple black type victories including a narrow second in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
From the family of G1 winners Unearthly and her Oaks winning daughter Invest, Invincible Star has a So You Think 2yo filly named Think Youre A Star who is based in New Zealand, before going to then foal colts by Justify and Snitzel, followed by being covered by Shinzo in the spring.
While not having shuttled back to Australia for a number of years, Justify is the sire of 58 international stakes winners highlighted by ten individual G1 winners with his four-time elite level winning son City Of Troy (USA) set to stand his second Australian season at a fee of $49,500 (inc. GST), having covered 158 last year.
Justify will be represented by his G3-winning daughter Just Feelin’ Lucky at Thursday’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale with the Newington Farm Premium Consignment mare being offered as Lot 76.
