Ardrossan’s son makes immediate impact

Young Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan got away to a flying start on Tuesday afternoon at Ruakaka where his first trial runner Codigo was successful.

The Stephen Marsh-trained two-year-old settled toward the back of the field in his 750-metre heat before picking up ground near the turn and finished strongly under hands and heels riding from Courtney Barnes to score by 1.5l.

“This horse is the spitting image of Ardrossan himself. From day one he’s showed us everything we’ve wanted to see,” Marsh said.

“His temperament is outstanding and he’s a natural athlete.”

Condigo was bred by Dame Lowell Goddard, who races the youngster with the Matamata nursery.

He is the first foal of the Per Incanto mare Sophia Magia, who was successful as a two-year-old, and she foaled his sister last season before a return visit.

A son of Redoute’s Choice, Ardrossan was a dual stakes winner from Marsh’s stable and placed in the G1 BCD Group Sprint and the G3 Star Kingdom S.

He is a half-brother to the three-time Group 1 winner Incentivise and the black-type winners Bergerac and Cheyenne Warrior.