New SW for Ardrossan - Ardalio Wins G3 Almanzor Trophy

Media Release - Saturday January 25

Six years after landing a Group Three prize on Karaka Millions night with Ardrossan, trainer Stephen Marsh and jockey Michael McNab kept it in the family with his exciting daughter Ardalio winning Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Marsh trained Ardrossan throughout a nine-race career that produced four wins, headed by the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) on the 2019 Karaka Millions undercard. The son of Redoute’s Choice now stands at Waikato Stud, where he has sired 24 winners including six at stakes level.

Ardalio winning the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The newest member of that list is the lightly raced Ardalio, whose owner-breeder Lib Petagna also shared in the ownership of Ardrossan. Saturday’s $250,000 three-year-old sprint was only the third career start for Ardalio, and she announced her arrival on the big stage with a brilliant performance.

Ardalio and McNab raced in midfield before angling to the outside at the home turn and bounding into contention. Front-running favourite Poetic Champion was swallowed up after the 200m mark, with Vegas Queen diving through along the inside while Ardalio pounced out wide.

Ardalio pulled ahead of Vegas Queen in the final 75m to score an emphatic one-length victory, clocking 1:08.86 for the 1200m.

“Ardrossan won a Group Three on this day himself, and for him to sire the winner of this race is a huge result for the stallion and for Lib,” Marsh said. “Ardrossan is getting a lot of winners.

“It was a big step up for Ardalio today, but she’s obviously a very good filly. All of her runs have been terrific. We’ll see where we go next with her, but we could look at something like the Uncle Remus (Listed, 1400m) in a few weeks’ time. We’ll just take her quietly.

“She was ready to explode today and it was a matter of keeping a lid on her leading into this. She’s a very talented filly.”

Marsh was thrilled to pick up a feature-race win on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

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“This is the night,” the Cambridge trainer said. “This is where we want to be, and this is where we want to be winning races.

“Hopefully now we might be able to buy another horse or two this week and get some shares sold.”

Ardalio is a new SW for Ardrossan.

The sixth stakes-winner for Ardrossan, Ardalio’s three-start career has produced two wins and a second, where she was beaten by a head by the talented Sought After at Ellerslie earlier this month. Ardalio has now earned $168,300 in stakes.

She is the best of two winners from Written Tycoon mare Bridgewater. 

McNab has been in the saddle for all three of Ardalio’s starts.

“We landed in a nice spot today, then got to the outside and she was really electric,” he said. “She’s got a bright future.

“I think she just got a bit lost the other day, racing up on the speed. Today, ridden a bit quieter, she was very good late.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

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Race Result - Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy Gr3 1200m

Ellerslie Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:08.86
1
Ardalio
- 3f Ardrossan (AUS) x Bridgewater (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: M J Mc Nab 55
2
1
Vegas Queen
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Miss Vegas (NZ) (Carlton House (USA))
Tnr: K I Rae Rdr: J J Fawcett 55
NZB Ready To Run Sale $650,000
Seller: Riversley Park Ltd
Buyer: Andrew Williams Bloodstock / Hong Kong Bloodstock
NZB Karaka Book 1 $160,000
Seller: Highline Thoroughbreds
Buyer: Riversley Park
3
1.3
Cheaha
- 3g Alabama Express (AUS) x Sorrentina (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: R Hutchings 57
4
2.1
Poetic Champion
- 3g Super Seth (AUS) x Regally Blonde (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 58.5
5
2.3
Hankee Alpha
- 3f Proisir (AUS) x Queen Of Navarre (NZ) (Guillotine (NZ))
Tnr: L O'sullivan & A Scott Rdr: G Rooke 56
6
2.6
She's Untouchable
- 3f Capitalist (AUS) x Unimpeachable (AUS) (Bradbury's Luck (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
7
2.7
Move To Strike
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x No Evidence Needed (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: B Shinn 60
8
4.1
I'm All In
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Fuld's Bet (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: W B Kennedy 58
9
4.1
Thooza
- 3f Almanzor (FR) x Sea Goddess (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: K Stott 56
10
4.6
Archaic Smile
- 3f Saxon Warrior (JPN) x On The Ball (NZ) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Hollie Wynyard Rdr: R T Elliot 56
11
4.7
Kitty Flash
- 3f Ace High (AUS) x Electrode (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: Craig Williams 56
12
6.6
Detrimental
- 3c I Am Invincible (AUS) x Lope De Lope (AUS) (Lope De Vega (IRE))
Tnr: J G Bary Rdr: J K Riddell 57
13
7.3
Boss 'N' Highheels
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Hell Or Highwater (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: V A Colgan 55
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