Bendigo is named the Nursery of Champions for good reason with a number Group 1 winners registering their first wins at the central Victorian track.
Names such as Better Loosen Up, Shocking, Hyperno, Salamander and Star Of The Realm registered their first wins at Bendigo before going on to far bigger and better victories.
Could import Craig, a member of the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable, be the latest to head to greater heights after registering his maiden win over 1400m at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Craig had one start at Newmarket in the UK last November, finishing second, before being snapped up by connections of Busuttin and Young.
The son of Territories was sent out a $3.50 chance with betting apps under Luke Currie before racing to a 4-¼ length victory in the style of an impressive winner.
Like all purchasers of imports, connections have high hopes for the future, although Busuttin and Young won’t be aiming too high, too soon.
“Being a European horse, you’ve got Caulfield Cup in the back of your mind one day onto a Melbourne Cup and being by Territories he should get out to a trip later on,” Young told racing.com.
“He’s a nice progressive horse, but it was still only a maiden, so you can’t get too carried away, but winning like that, they give you a little bit of hope.
“He didn’t jump too flash, but Luke didn’t panic. There was plenty of speed on early and he brought him out wide, gave him clear air and he’s finished off brilliantly.
“We’ll find another race for him in a couple of weeks, probably up to the mile and see how far we can press him through in the next six weeks and then give him that little let-up.”
Currie said it had been a good training performance from the team to turn out Craig a debut winner on Australian soil.
“It’s not easy getting those horses over and win with them first-up, but he had had a few jump-outs and was going the right way,” Currie said.
“He’s a nice horse to ride and I think he will step out in trip and once he does, he will be able to take up a handier position.
“He’s on the right track.”
