Gr 1 Target For Accardo

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009

Gifted sprinter Accardo will be chasing further family black-type honours when he takes aim at the Gr 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year's Day. Success for the well-performed Westbury Stud graduate will also draw added attention to his half-sister to be offered by the Karaka farm during the Premier Sale at Karaka in February.

The chestnut filly is by leading sire Flying Spur out of the Umatilla mare Princess Marengo, who won two races including the Listed Welcome Stakes, and is from a prolific stakes family that numbers Chipolata (Gr 1 WA Derby), Pipiwar (Gr 2 Magic Night Stakes), Royal Drive (Gr 2 WA Oaks), Lord Monty (Gr 3 Winter Cup), Dance Beat (Gr 3 Lightning Handicap) and Throne In (Gr 3 Birthday Card Stakes).

Accardo is the first foal of Princess Marengo and he has fashioned the excellent record of seven wins and 11 placings from his 23 appearances. He numbers the Gr 3 Darley Plate and the Listed Newmarket Handicap among his career successes on both sides of the Tasman.

The son of Elnadim returned from a six-month break at Pukekohe last time out to finish a luckless second in the Listed Counties Bowl. "You couldn't fault the ride and Leith Innes just had nowhere to go," co-trainer Gareth McRae said. "He quickened up really nicely when he did see some daylight."

Accardo will go into the Railway, in which he finished a close fourth two years ago, without a further outing. "We just like to look after him and he won't need another run," McRae said. "He's come through the Counties race very well."

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