March was an unseasonably dry month in West Otago but the horses at Arden Lodge have thrived in the hot and dry conditions. Having been introduced to hard feed as soon as they arrived from the stud the foals are well used to eating hard feed. Pictured here are a Captaintreacherous filly out of Real Wings, a Bettor's Delight filly out of Venus Serena and a Downbytheseaside filly out of Ardenart.
On the fourth of March South Coast Arden (Somebeachsomewhere/ Southwind Arden) won the Group 2 Auckland Co-op Taxi City of Auckland FFA. To see the race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHO4liHuXzo
On 18th March Arden-bred South Coast Arden finished second in the Group 3 Lincoln Farms The Founders Cup. To see the race click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSLeRbvweLY
He has a slot in The Race on 14th April at Cambridge Raceway.
South Coast Arden's three quarter brother Platinum Stride (Captaintreacherous) won the Malleebull Pacing Cup at Birchip on 13 March to increase his win total to eight. He has also had ten seconds and four thirds.
Progress was made at the new block of land that is known in Tapanui as Pansy Cottage. George Thomas Rundle arrived in New Zealand from England in 1860 and he lived in Pansy Cottage until his death in 1936. The house was demolished in the 1960s.
Sticks from the felled trees have been cleared and new grass sown. The dry conditions have slowed down the germination and growth of the new paddocks.
Young fillies Indiana Arden (Panspacificflight/ Southwind Arden) and Melody Arden (Art Major/ Venus Serena) have been in work at Arden Lodge preparing to go back to trainer Grant Payne. Indie qualified in December and Melody is well on her way to qualifying after her next prep.
Arden's Reality (Somebeachsomewhere/ Real Wings) won a trial for his new trainer Amanda Turnbull. He should be having his first start in Australia soon.