There was a lot to like about Mighty Like’s promising win at Echuca on Monday.

The Host gelding faced the starter without any trial form but he was kept safe at $7 in the lead-up to the Cotton On Plate (1200m).  Bookmakers were on their guard and with good reason.

Stable jockey Dale Smith found a forward possie in the early stages and then punched the winner home to score comfortably on debut.  “He’s a natural,” Smith said back in the enclosure.  “There’s plenty of upside and he’s a progressive type.  We’ve been happy with his work – he beat a smart one of Rick Hore-Lacy’s in a jump-out last week.”

Mighty Like (3g Host – Mighty Fine by Keltrice) is trained by Mick Price for owner-breeder Julie Nicholson.  She also raced the dam with Price to wins at Sandown (2), Moonee Valley and Caulfield.

Nicholson lost foals by Reset (2010) and Kaphero (2011) before Mighty Fine delivered a healthy Host filly last October.

Host (Chi) has now sired 26 individual winners of 37 races from his first crop.  He will stand for a $9,900 (inc gst) service fee at Swettenham Stud this year.