Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior have struck gold with Otago, a promising youngster who dominated his debut at Bendigo.
Purchased from successful trials in New Zealand, the three-year-old Ocean Park colt had already displayed his potential in pre-race jumpouts at Cranbourne.
Starting as the $2 favourite with wagering apps in the Drake International Maiden Plate over 1300m, Otago, guided by Beau Mertens, settled in the second half before making a decisive move in the final stretch.
Despite being slightly green and inexperienced, Otago pulled away, winning by over two lengths.
Mertens, the Group 1-winning jockey, believes Otago has more to offer, describing the victory as achieved with “a lot more to give.”
The triumph marked Mertens’ second win of the day at Bendigo, adding to his earlier success aboard Yongtai in the opening event.