Steven Rosel’s outstanding value buying at the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale was highlighted yesterday when classy three-year-old Navarda Lad won at Belmont.

A three-year-old son of State City, Navarda Lad made it two wins from three runs when he proved too strong for his rivals in the three-year-old contest over 1200 metres.

Prepared by Simon Miller, Navarda Lad was ridden to victory by Duncan Miller.

Navarda Lad ($11-$6.50) cruised to the line three parts of a length clear of Trade Fair filly Festival Star ($7.50-$13).

Speedy filly Ima Citinpretty ($17-$11) was well backed and ran boldly from the front to finish third, a short half head behind the runner-up.

“He’s always shown good ability,” Simon Miller said of Navarda Lad. “Right from the start he’s shown something.”

“We’ve had a few issues with him and needed to take our time – thankfully the owners have been very patient,” he added.

Navarda Lad was one of the best backed runners of the day at Belmont – his official on course bookmaker fluctuations showing his price slashed from $11 into $6.50 to share favouritism with Miss Tahitian.

“We’ll step him up to a Saturday race at Belmont now and see how he handles that.”

The gelding was plucked from the draft of Korilya Stud for just $2,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Winter Thoroughbred Sale. Rosel races him with good friend Darryl Dawson.

“Steve did a great job finding this horse as a weanling and he paid just $2,000 for him,” Miller said.

Navarda Lad was one of two weanlings purchased at the sale by Rosel. He also bought a Testa Rossa colt for $1,750.

Now a gelding, that Testa Rossa three-year-old races as Willow Bridge and on Saturday he will take his place in the listed Belmont Guineas.

The gelding, who is also in the Simon Miller stable, has a Perth win and two placings on his record from just three runs.

“He’s got plenty of ability and I give him a good chance on Saturday despite a horror draw,” Miller reported.

“Steve bought two horses at the sale and they have only had a few starts each and both are already Perth winners – what an effort.”

“He’s obviously got a great eye for a horse and I’m hoping he can do likewise at this year’s sale next month,” Miller added.

The catalogue for the 2011 Magic Millions Perth Winter Thoroughbred Stud has just been finalised and is at the printers.

Some 280 quality lots have been brought together for the auction – a great range of weanlings, yearlings, proven city winning racehorses and stakes performed and producing broodmares.

The sale will be held at the Belmont Park Sales Complex on February July 29 (commences 4pm) and Sunday July 31 (commences 11am).