Late-blooming juvenile Joint Venture could chime into the early-season three-year-old features after putting an important win on the board at Rosehill.
A $625,000 yearling purchase for the Newgate stallions syndicate, the beautifully bred son of I Am Invincible showed natural improvement from his debut placing at Wyong to stamp his class on Saturday’s Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m).
Trainer Chris Waller says Joint Venture is still learning, but the victory as a two-year-old will be a valuable addition to his resume, and a strong platform to potentially rise in grade.
“It’s also a good time of year to give a horse like him confidence,” Waller said.
“You can see how much he does wrong at the start and in the straight.
“You can’t get confidence if they’re in a tough race doing things wrong, but at this time of year they can.”
Waller will monitor how Joint Venture comes through Saturday’s race but won’t hesitate to step him out against more seasoned rivals in the coming weeks if the horse continues to please him.
“You can take on the better three-year-olds with a bit of fitness, and you can be competitive,” Waller said.
“We’d be pushing on, I’d say.
“He won’t get over too far (in journey), too quickly, but we will concentrate over the next few weeks on getting his ring craft right. If we get that right, there is a lot of improvement to come.”
Ridden by Sam Clipperton, Joint Venture ($8.50) scored by three-quarters of a length over Gatineau ($6.50), who boxed on well after leading, with Seeiaye ($2.30 fav) holding third. Joint Venture returned $8.50 with leading betting apps Australia.
