Five-year-old gelding Lord Ardmore continued his strong winter form, making it back-to-back victories when a hard-fought winner of the Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick.
The son of Reliable Man, who had led previously in his middle distances wins, enjoyed a sweet run throughout under Hugh Bowman to come from just behind the speed to win by a touch over half-a-length from Grove Ferry and Francesco Guardi and justify his $2.30 favouritism.
Sporting the colours of syndicators Go Racing, the Chris Waller-trained Kiwi import will now be aimed at the Gr.3 Premier's Cup (2000m) back at Randwick in a fortnight.
“He got a nice run and Hughie is riding very well, as you would expect,” Waller said.
“This horse is going from strength to strength and coming out of winter at the right time, there are some nice races here for him.
“He will need to lift but his fitness will improve as well and I think he will get better over 2000m.
“The Group race (Premier’s Cup) for him in two weeks’ time should be perfect for him.”
Waller indicated that races like the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) and Gr.3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) were potential targets next month, while the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) and A$2 million Five Diamonds (1800m), a race restricted to five-year-olds, could be longer term aims.
Lord Ardmore was bred by The Oaks Stud and is by Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man out of the stakes-placed Darci Brahma mare Outshine.
Bought by Albert Bosma’s Go Racing for $65,000 from The Oaks Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2019, Lord Ardmore has now had 19 starts for five wins, five placings and A$430,748 in stakes.
He began his career in the Ardmore stable of Stephen McKee, scoring a maiden win at Tauranga and finishing fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m).
Go Racing went back to the source at Karaka earlier this year, purchasing Lord Ardmore’s yearling half-brother by Tavistock for $220,000 from the Oaks Stud’s draft. – NZ Racing Desk
