Trained by Jason Warren and ridden Ben Melham, Merchant of Venice was stepping up in class and distance, trying the Benchmark 64 over 1600 metres and emerged triumphant.
He settled back in the field and loomed into contention turning for home, surging all the way to the line to win by a short neck under hands and heels riding.
"He was a bit further back than we anticipated then when he got to the front he
wanted to float a bit," said a relieved Jason Warren."He's still learning all the time, there's just so much upside to him.
"We'll let the horse tell us how far he gets this spring, but I think in the autumn he'll be a proper horse."
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.
