With a seven-figure price tag and superb bloodlines, exciting prospect Condone (Justify) opened his winning account at Warwick Farm on Wednesday for a Coolmore syndicate that includes Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela.

Wednesday’s A$100,000 Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m) was the third career start for the three-year-old, and his first appearance since finishing second and eighth in two races in September and October of last year.

Condone was an impressive trial winner at Randwick last month in the lead-up to his raceday resumption, and he announced his return in style on Wednesday.

Condone was ridden by Adam Hyeronimus for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and he jumped well from gate five in a field of seven. Hyeronimus pushed him forward and soon took up the running, and Condone dominated the race from there.

A strong kick at the home turn put Condone well clear, and although the favourite Graffiti Tycoon (Written Tycoon) made ground late in the piece, a half-length margin still separated them at the finish line.

“You know, his trials have been very sound, particularly his last one,” a representative of the Waterhouse-Bott stable said.

“He just needed that to top him off for today, and he was given a great ride by Adam. He just took bad luck out of the equation, jumped to the front and stayed there.

“I think he's more versatile than just leading, and I think, with today out of the way, we can look to getting out over longer trips as well.”

Sir Peter Vela shares ownership of Condone alongside Coolmore, Wynaus, Westerberg, Joe Poulin, Chris Waller Racing, Lynque, Peachester Lodge, Robert McClure, Marcstown Pty Ltd, Meridian Bloodstock, Lockhart Waller Racing, Glentree Racing and Mr K MacLennan.

Condone was bought for A$1.3m as a yearling and is by one of the world’s most in-demand stallions, Triple Crown champion Justify, who shuttled to Australia in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Those three crops have produced almost 150 winners, a dozen of them at stakes level including Group Two winners and Group One placegetters Storm Boy and Learning To Fly. Storm Boy, who placed in the Golden Slipper (1200m), is embarking on his own stud career at Coolmore.

Justify commands a US$200,000 service fee at Coolmore in Kentucky and is the sire of 58 stakes winners worldwide, 10 at Group/Grade One level including the four-time Group One winner and exciting stallion prospect City Of Troy.

Condone is the first foal to race out of the I Am Invincible mare Invincible Star, herself a three-race winner including the Group Three Ottawa Stakes (1000m), Group Three Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) and Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m). She also ran second in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), where she was beaten by a head by Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock).