Quality Few Days For Ardrossan

Kicking off on Friday, Marsh Racing’s Ardrossan filly So Fear took her record to two unbeaten runs when scoring an impressive victory over 1200m at Pukekohe Park.

Raced by Go Racing, the Dame Lowell Goddard bred and Waikato Stud raised filly settled just off the leader on the rails, and when rounding the home turn, jockey Courtney Barnes came off the leader’s heels to make a challenge.

Although it did take a little while for the filly to take the gap, she tenaciously chased down the leader before getting her head in front to remain unbeaten.

A full sister to Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Codigo, the pair are out of the 2yo-winning Per Incanto mare Sophia Magia.

While Sophia Magi was not covered in the two seasons after foaling So Fear, the mare was covered once again by Ardrossan in the spring, in fact the mare has been covered by Ardrossan in each year she has visited a stallion.

Our attention then turned to Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon where the trainer Francis Lui teamed up with Zac Purton to record success with 3yo Ardrossan gelding Gold Patch.

Taking his Hong Record to two wins and a third from just three starts, the progressive runner jumped away from barrier 13 of 14 over the 1200m, going forward to settle in third.

Pulling out to make his round when they entered the home straight, the gelding wore down the leader to prevail by a half-length margin.

Just like So Fear, the Patch Syndicate raced Gold Patch was bred by Dame Lowell Goddard.

Raised at Waikato Stud, Gold Patch was initially offered as part of Landsdowne Park’s NZB Book 2 when knocked down to Lilywhites Lodge Ltd for $155,000, before he was then reoffered at the 2024 NZB Ready To Run Sale when sold to Mr KM Yeung for $250,000.

Interestingly, just like So Fear, Gold Patch is out of a mare by Per Incanto, with La Donna being a three quarter sister to Listed winner Rocanto from the family of G1 winner Reigning To Win.

With eight winners from just 12 runners in Hong Kong, the progeny of Ardrossan clearly have the attributes that the market looks for when source tough gallopers than can compete on one of the world’s toughest stages.