First Stakes-winner for Ardossan

Media Release - Saturday January 14

Trainer Stephen Marsh made the early stages of the 2023 Trentham summer carnival all his own as he capped an opening treble with exciting two-year-old Codigo taking out the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m).

Codigo has made it two wins from two starts with victory in the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham Photo Credit: Trish Dunell

Marsh commenced with wins by Mercurial and Laneway Flirting and believed he had a great chance to make it three in a row with the son of Ardrossan, after the showy bay had won narrowly but impressively on debut at Matamata earlier in the month.

Rider Michael McNab had Codigo quickly away from his inside barrier before taking up a trailing position behind the Mark Walker-trained pair of Sky On Fire and Rubicon Crossing.

Keen to get off the fence early in the run home, McNab angled his mount across heels and quickly joined issue with the leading pair before settling down to a dogfight with Rubicon Crossing where he prevailed by a neck at the winning post.

Marsh had been confident of a good performance having long believed his charge has enormous potential.

“It is a bit special for this horse, being by Ardrossan, who we trained and to get three on a day is special for sure,” Marsh said.

“He is a lovely horse, who was unbeaten at the trials and then won his first start.

“We probably ran him today a little bit sooner than we would have liked to, but this was a perfect race for him.

“Michael gave him the right run, although I think he might need a week in the paddock now as he might just be feeling his shins.

Advertisement

“He has ticked off the black-type win and ultimately we will aim him for the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m).”

McNab was keen to secure the mount on Codigo after his first win at the trials and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

“When I got back from a Covid break and holiday, Dad said that Stephen had a real nice Ardrossan colt,” he said.

“I managed to get on him for his next trial then his first raceday start and today he has won very well.

“The other day (at Matamata) I made him work early and I said to Stephen today that I wouldn’t like to lead on him again,

“As it worked out, I was following the two horses to beat, got a beautiful trip and he did the rest.”

Raced by his breeder, Dame Lowell Goddard along with Waikato Stud, Codigo becomes the first stakes winner for his sire Ardrossan who was retired to stand at Waikato Stud in 2019 after a racetrack career that saw him win four of his nine starts including twice at stakes level while also finishing third in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Ardrossan

Ardrossan will be well represented at the 2023 National Yearling Sale at Karaka later this month with seven individuals on offer during the Book 1 sale and a further 12 in the Book 2 sale. The sale will run for six days starting on January 29. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Irt Wellesley Stakes LR 1100m

Trentham Track: Good(4) Time: 1:02.51
1
Codigo
- 2g Ardrossan (AUS) x Sophia Magia (NZ) (Per Incanto (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 57
2
0.2
Rubicon Crossing
- 2f Rubick (AUS) x Miss Foxwood (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C J Grylls 55
3
1.7
Pignan
- 2f Staphanos (JPN) x Hirondelle (NZ) (Sepoy (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: Joe Doyle 55
4
4.7
Sky On Fire
- 2f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Elusive Meteor (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: C Zackey 55
5
5.7
Zambezi Khan
- 2f Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Zafiki (NZ) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: E G Lowry Rdr: K R Hercock 55
6
8.0
Chantilly Lace
- 2f U S Navy Flag (USA) x On The Move (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: S J O'Malley 55
7
10.8
Hanalei Star
- 2f El Roca (AUS) x Dancing Song (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: C E Lammas 55
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.
First trial success for Sword Of State
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by an impressive trial winner when State Of Valour coasted to victory in his two-year-old heat over 730m at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 23
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand
Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.