Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse predicted bigger and better wins in store for Just the Tonic following his impressive debut win at Canterbury today.

Sent out the favourite after a strong barrier trial win at Randwick in mid-July, Just the Tonic cruised along at the head of the field and quickened nicely in the straight to cruise clear.

At the post Just a Tonic ($1.80-$2.25-$2 fav) held a two and a quarter length margin over the runner-up Isle Be Ready ($6-$9), while another Magic Millions graduate The Firehouse ($6-$9) did his best work late to claim third place.

But while a couple of runners in the race impressed, they were no match for Just the Tonic who looks a prospect destined for stakes races.

“I like it when the other horse came to him about a furlong and a half out and Nash just gave him a little slap and he lowered and really round the line,” Waterhouse said.

“That is the sign of a very good horse.”

“We’ve always had an opinion of him and today confirmed it,” she added.

Star Sydney based jockey Nash Rawiller couldn’t help but be impressed with the debut performance of Just the Tonic.

“He’s a lovely horse,” Rawiller commented.

“Since I trialled him you can really see he’s blossomed in his coat and he’s a very nice horse for the future I think.”

The gelding, who turned three on Monday, was purchased by Waterhouse for $400,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The son of Redoute’s Choice was bred by Gerry Harvey and sold through the Baramul Stud draft at the Gold Coast.

Punters might have taken the tip from Waterhouse following her purchase of Just the Tonic’s three quarter brother by Flying Spur for $150,000 at the recent 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Just the Tonic, by champion Arrowfield Stud based sire Redoute’s Choice, is the seventh winner for the 100 per cent winner producer Platonic.

A winner in Brisbane and Sydney prior to retiring to stud, Platonic is a proven group producer thanks to her son Carnegie House – a three time winner and victor of the Group Three Frank Packer Plate.

Platonic, a daughter of Nassipour who won at distances from 1200 to 2900 metres, is a half sister to stakes winners Shovhog and Shovoff and the stakes placed Mustabshir as well as the dam of Leveller.