Regally-bred filly Mergeila secured her first victory on her second start at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Connections have set their sights on the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) in November as her main spring target.
Ridden by James McDonald, the $1.75 favourite with horse racing bookmakers improved on her debut third at Rosehill, winning by 1.15 lengths over Indecisive, with Espinho two lengths further back in third.
A $750,000 purchase for Yulong Investments, Mergeila, is by Justify out of 2019 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) winner Invincibella.
Charlie Duckworth, representing trainer Chris Waller, said the stable had always rated the three-year-old highly.
“Originally, she had a nomination for the Flight Stakes, but that’s going to come around too quick,” Duckworth explained.
“But that’s the beauty of the Thousand Guineas being pushed back. I’d imagine Chris will plot a path working our way back from there.
“It’s only a Wednesday win now, but it’s still great to get the job done.”
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