ARDEN’S CHOICE qualified for the rich Nevele R Three-Year-Old Fillies Series Final at Addington in the autumn when she ran second in a heat at Alexandra Park on 12 February.
For the first time in her race career, the Panspacificflight filly was pushed hard out of the gate, driver Zac Butcher wanting to take advantage of her No. 1 draw in the 1700-metre sprint. Bettor Think Quick came up the passing lane to claim her in the straight, running a time of 2:03.6 with the last half in 56.4 and the final quarter in 27.3.
This was Arden’s Choice’s first start for trainer Barry Purdon stable after previously being in the All Stars Stable in Canterbury.
Her next big target is the Group I Pascoes Northern Oaks, worth $125,000, at Alexandra Park on 04 March.
But she races again at the park on Friday night. Also in action there are two Panspacificflight four-year-olds, Little Rascal, the track specialist, and In Full Flight, who ran a promising first-up second on 05 February.
It’s taking a while, but In Full Flight is the horse that will probably give Panspacificflight a winning percentage of better than 50 per cent from his first crop. Arden’s Concord, who has gone on to win three times, became his 11th winner from 23 live foals back in August. In Full Flight would be the 12th.