Impressive Debut Winner for Merchant Navy

Merchant Navy posted a fourth winner with an impressive debut victory at Wagga on Sunday for Rebel Rosai (2f Merchant Navy x Just Our Girl, by Encosta de Lago).

Trained by Paul Murray, she was easy in the market with punters rallying to short priced favourite Pride of Penraf (2g Pride of Dubai x Rafaela’s Aim, by Bernardini), but that youngster had no answer when Rebel Rosai surged into contention.

She hit the line hard to win the 1200m maiden by a head running away for Winona Costin.

Rebel Rosai was bought by her trainer for just $30,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the KBL Thoroughbreds draft having been sold previously as a weanling for $17,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale where she was offered by Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm.

Bred by Lauriston, Rebel Rosai is the third winner from Just Our Girl, a daughter of Champion 3YO Filly Gold Edition, a winner of 17 races and $3.1million with highlight Group I wins in the VRC Ascot Vales Stakes (now Coolmore Stud) and MVRC Manikato Stakes.

Just Our Girl was back at Coolmore last spring to be covered by Yes Yes Yes.

A dual Group I winner and Royal Ascot hero, Merchant Navy has made a promising start to his stud career and has had just 14 runners with four winners and a further five place-getters including Group placed Drisana.