Margin Trader posts impressive debut win

Mike Moroney may have missed the Victoria Derby, but debut winner Margin Trader could give him something to aim in next year's ATC Derby.

Margin Trader, a $170,000 purchase at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier yearling sale, showcased his talent with his victory in yesterday's Pura Milk Maiden Plate at Bendigo.

Matt Hoysted, Moroney's Assistant Trainer, said Margin Trader had untapped upside and would only improve with maturity and even better when the distances of his races increase. "He has always showed us a lot of ability. He came over from New Zealand for the (Victoria) Derby, but he got a bit colty and we had to geld him," Hoysted said. "He did a lot wrong today, but you can see the improvement there. He is just a big baby, but in six months time we will see the best of him."

Dwayne Dunn said he was surprised at how quickly Margin Trader picked up his rivals when he asked him to let down. Dunn said the pleasing thing was that Margin Trader was able to win on "raw ability". "He has a lot of education to come that will improve him again, but he caught me by surprise just how quickly he picked them up," Dunn said.

Margin Trader, an $8 chance, scored by one and a quarter lengths from Tribal Doctor, $13, with three-quarters of a length to Windfleet, third.

Short-priced favourite Shintaro was never travelling well in a performance Alan Creighton described as "very disappointing".

(Adrian Dunn - Racing Newtork)

(Photo: Colin Bull)