Group 1 Derby hopes for Ardrossan 3YO

Tony and Maddysen Sears already have the Gr.1 Queensland Derby locked in as Beau Dazzler’s longer-term target.

The father and son training combination revealed plans for their three-year-old following his dominant display to land the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes over 1800 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday arfternoon.

The gelding, who claimed last season’s Listed Phelan Ready Stakes at two, completed a notable double for Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan who had earlier produced impressive Randwick winner Saltcoats for Chris Waller.

Beau Dazzler lobbed along behind the leading pack under rider Jag Guthmann-Chester before striding to the front 100 metres from home and coasted clear.

“There’s a 2000 metres race for him in two weeks’ time and then we’ll put him away and we think he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the Derby,” Maddysen Sears said.

“He’s always showed us a lot, he is a tricky horse and not easy to do things with but we thought he would be a really good chance and his ability prevailed.”

Bred by the Dewar Partnership, Beau Dazzler was bought out of Mapperley Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $85,000 by Sears Racing with Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman.

He is an older brother of recent winner and Listed Karaka Millions 2YO contender Toretto with their dam the Pentire mare Pwerfect.

From three small crops, Ardrossan is striking at 7.7% stakes winners to runners – an incredible achievement when you consider NZ Champion sires are striking between 6.2% and 10.9%.