Third Stakes Victory For Ardrossan’s Ardalio

It’s been an exciting day for Ardrossan with the Stephen Marsh trained Ardalio becoming the second stakes winner of the day for the son of Redoute’s Choice adding the G3 Counties Bowl (1100m) victory to the earlier win of De Armas in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m).

Improving off her last start fourth over 1200m, the 4yo mare dropped back to the 1100m, and with a handy tempo set up front by Lhasa, jockey Kozzi Asano settled the mare on the rail getting a lovely trail.

Although Lhasa tried his best to kick off the turn and put a few lengths on the field, it was short-lived as Ardalio was coming from off his heels to make a challenge.

Once the gap opened up, Ardalio sprinted away with authority from the rest of the field and although Twain looked a fleeting chance of running Ardalio down, his challenge was short lived as the mare pulled clear for a length and a half win, and in the process secured her third black type victory, and fourth win overall from just eight starts.

Stable rep Dylan Johnson indicated post-race that G1 feature sprint are now likely to be on Ardalio’s agenda.

“She’s putting together a great record and is just so tough,” Johnson said. “Kozzi gave her a beautiful trip, and then she just fights and grinds all the way to the finish. Those attributes made her a multiple Group winner as a three-year-old, and today was outstanding.

“Stephen is keen to keep her to those sprint trips this season, and we’ll have a look at races like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) and Railway (Gr.1, 1200m).”

Bred by Lib and Katrina Petagna’s JML Bloodstock Ltd, just like earlier winner De Armas, the Stephen Marsh trained mare is one of two winners out of her Written Tycoon sire dam Bridgewater. Bridgewater has a 2yo, also by Ardrossan named Raymond with the Stephen Marsh trained gelding having his first trial recently.

Taking her earnings past NZ$400,000, no other runner by Ardrossan has secured more black type success than Ardalio and if your keen to purchase a yearling from the next crop of the G3-winning son of Redoute’s Choice, we will offer 16 yearlings by him in Book 1 and a further 5 in Book 2 followed by two fillies at the Inglis Classic yearling sale.