Greg Eurell’s $60,000 purchase Humble Trader made the perfect start to his career at Sandown on Wednesday, vindicating the trainer’s long-held belief in the colt’s quality.

The three-year-old, by Hanseatic, broke through at his first attempt in the Sportsbet Blackbook Plate (1200m), justifying support at $4.60 on the betting site market. Ridden by Jamie Mott, he finished strongly to defeat Wetumpka ($3.70) by three-quarters of a length, with Getta Good Feeling ($4) close up 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.”

The victory confirmed the impressions Humble Trader had given at home. “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.”

Eurell explained that immaturity, rather than injury, delayed the gelding’s debut. “He’s been a typical sort of youngster going through the process. 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.”

The trainer said the gelding still has plenty of learning to do but was encouraged by the way he fought on. “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.”