Standing at Kooringal Stud this spring, Merchant Navy broke new ground at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when siring his first winner at a distance of 2000m or more when progressive filly Venetian Blue saluted as favourite.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian bott, Venetian Blue has had plenty of racing this preparation and is still enjoying her racing after breaking her maiden over 1600m back in April.
She had to chase down her stablemate Okataina and did a good job to overhaul that filly and win the 2130m Benchmark 64 event by a long neck.
“She’s been incredibly tough and has kept improving with every bit of work we’ve given her and she’s taken that next step today,” said Adrian Bott.
Venetian Blue was a $320,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Segenhoe draft for Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbredsand has the overall record of two wins and four placings from 10 starts with prizemoney just shy of $100,000.
Venetian Blue was bred by Go Bloodstock and is the first winner for Group II VRC Wakeful Stakes winner Thunder Lady (NZ), a staying daughter of Mastercraftsman (IRE) that was also second in the Group I VRC Oaks.
Merchant Navy has sired over 30 winners this season of $2.3million highlighted by his Group I winner Royal Merchant and stands this spring at Kooringal Stud at a fee of $13,200.
