Bennett Racing’s 7yo import Ardakan may have not won a race since capturing the Gr Italian Derby in May ’22 but on Sunday at Warnambool he absolutely bolted in at his 5th start over the hurdles.
Previously placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 2nd , all as favourite over the hurdles, the dashing grey son of Reliable Man has shown a good turn of foot with the application of blinkers for his last two starts.
With the change of jockey to Martin Kelly, Ardakan jumped well and was soon in the leading pack, eventually taking over a skipping a couple of lengths clear. Although the big boy jumped well, again he did make a mess of the badly angled jump before the home turn each time and after ploughing though that jump turning for home, he was already a dozen lengths clear and Martin simply picked him up again and sailed to the post a very easy winner with daylight to the well backed favourite.
The win not only brought up Ardakans first win in Australia but also Bennett Racing’s first great horse to win and our first jumps winner.
Ardakan was a private purchase for Bennett Racing after his Gr2 Italian Derby win and Gr1 placing in Germany. Campaigned throughout Europe by Bennett Racing before his importation, Ardakan placed at Group level numerous time and was close up in the rich Dubai Turf Cup before bowing his tendons in the Gr2 Hardwick Stks in June ’23.
Ciaran Maher and his Team worked tirelessly on the greys re-hab program which saw him return to trialing some 14 months later.
Congratulations to all owners in Ardakan and thankyou to Ciaron Maher and his Teams for getting the import back into the winners circle.
