Trainer Greg Eurell knew he had found a horse of real promise when Humble Trader was paraded at the 2024 Melbourne Yearling Sales, and his instincts look spot on after the colt’s winning debut at Sandown.

Bought for $60,000, the son of Hanseatic got his career off to the perfect start by taking out the Sportsbet Blackbook Plate (1200m) on Wednesday.

Sent out a $4.60 betting site chance under Jamie Mott, Humble Trader showed raw ability, recovering from early greenness to claim victory by three-quarters of a length over the $3.70 favourite Wetumpka, with Getta Good Feeling ($4) close behind in third.

“He’s a lovely striding horse and lovely balanced,” Eurell said. “When we bought him, he walked out of the box, and he struck you what an athlete he was. The way he presented and walked, he was a horse you would have liked to have bought no matter what, and fortunately we did.”

Eurell said the stable had always believed in the gelding’s potential. “Today was a bit of a test to see what he could do, and for what he showed us at home, you hope they bring that to the races. On that today, hopefully he will find himself in a good race.”

Patience has been key in getting Humble Trader to the track, with immaturity and repeated shin soreness causing delays.

“He’s been a typical sort of youngster going through the process,” Eurell said. “When we thought, we were nearly going to get him there, he would go shin sore, so out he would go again for a break. Overall he’s been as sound as a bell. It’s just been immaturity with him.”

Held back from an earlier debut after drawing poorly, Eurell said the gelding handled his city assignment well despite still learning. “It’s always tough when you come to town, but he worked hard for it and he got a bit lost coming down the hill, but he picked himself up and hit the line well. Once he works it out a little bit more, I think he will develop into a lovely horse.”