Trainer Danny O’Brien was bemused with the starting price of debut winner Atlantis Tycoon at Caulfield.
The two-year-old son of Written Tycoon had been trialling well ahead of his debut in the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
“He’s won nearly every trial he’s been in but sometimes the market just bemuses you,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously, he was a first starter and there was never going to be intent once we drew wide, so we told Damien to go back and give him a good experience.
“He travelled well throughout the race and let down really well.”
Sent out a $26 chance under Damien Thornton, Written Tycoon settled in the back half of the field before unleashing a strong finishing burst to defeat Shalailed ($7.50) with Atlantic Ocean ($26) a further two lengths away third.
Atlantis Tycoon was passed in for $340,000 as a yearling and retained by his breeder Glentree Racing.
“He’s got a strong female pedigree, he’s a nice horse and I’m glad they sent him to us,” O’Brien said.
“We think he definitely gets to a mile which is why we didn’t want to burn him in the front half of the race today.
“To win at his first start on a Saturday in town, we’re expecting him to go to a good level.”
Thornton has done a lot of the early work aboard Atlantis Tycoon and said the gelding was a different type when there was competition around.
“He’s a nice horse, he’s always trialled well, but in his trackwork he’s a bit lethargic,” Thornton said.
“He’s always promised so it’s nice to see him do it on race day.
“He’s a big boy and he’s going to get better when he’s older.”