The Cambridge stable of trainer Stephen Marsh looks to have unearthed another exciting prospect in the form of two-year-old Ardrossan who made a winning debut at Pukekohe.
The stylish Redoute's Choice colt had impressed at the trials when he finished second behind subsequent Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes winner Summer Passage before winning his second trial at Rotorua. Sent out a warm favourite in Sunday's Fasttrack Insurance sponsored 800 metre dash he didn't disappoint with a powerful front-running display.
Handled perfectly by jockeys' premiership leader, Danielle Johnson, Ardrossan jumped well from an inside barrier and was soon in front. Johnson cuddled the colt up rounding the home turn before she asked him for a serious effort as he shot clear of the chasing pack.
Eased down at the line Ardrossan was still three and a quarter lengths clear of his nearest rival, So Far Sokool, who chased him bravely in the run home.
"He's a very nice colt who had only been beaten once at the trials and that one went on to win a Group One," noted Marsh.
"He's a beautiful looking horse, a lovely colt and he is certainly going through the grades and right to the top.
"We'll probably give him one more run at Te Rapa on the 4th of May before we put him aside. He was bought with the aim of sending him to Australia so I'll just try to keep my grip on him for as long as I can."
A win by Ardrossan in the Listed Hamilton Vets Equine Stakes on the 4th of May would make it a winning treble in the race for Marsh who scored with No More Tears in 2015 before taking the event out again last year with Ugo Foscolo.
