The opening race at Canterbury on Wednesday produced a competitive finish and an upset with victory going to the promising maiden Super Willie, a $130,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the draft of Newhaven Park.

Fifth on debut last December behind subsequent Golden Slipper winner Mossfun and then fifth again behind a subsequent stakes-winner in Bachman at his lone run in March, the Chris Waller trained Super Willie was entered in the Benchmark 70 event more as an afterthought.

Unable to find a suitable city maiden for Super Willie (pictured as a yearling), Waller decided to send the son of Flying Spur around against tougher opposition and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

He led throughout for Tommy Berry and held off stakes-winner Mohave to win the 1250 metre event by a long neck.

“He’s definitely a Saturday grade horse and if he’s better than that then he’ll get his chance to prove it I guess,” Berry said.

“It was a good effort today and he’ll take great improvement from the run.”

Bred and offered for sale by Newhaven Park, Super Willie was purchased by Anton Koolman for Hermitage Thoroughbreds and is the first winner for Argentinean Group I winner Anjiz Star (Arg).

Sadly for Newhaven Park, Anjiz Star died in 2011 and Super Willie is her final foal.

Source: Breednet