Akkadian (AUS) 3 c Nicconi – Garden Of Eden by Blackfriars
LINK TO RACE VIDEO: https://www.racing.com/videos/2018-09-05/sportsbetballarat-race-1–5918
Akkadian showed potential in seven previous starts without winning, including four times in stakes company, but broke through for a deserved first win at Ballarat on Wednesday.
The colt moved up early from his outside barrier (10), racing deep, before challenging on turning for home. He took the lead halfway down the straight and then lifted gamely, despite a wide trip, to score a narrow but very good win, beating three-year-old gelding Starvirgo (Zoustar) by a head, with three-year-old colt Junipal (Reset) a half length back in third.
Akkadian’s previous placings include third in the Sires Produce (Gr 3, 1400m) at Flemington in March, while he is also nominated for the Caulfield Guineas (G 1,1600m) on October 13.
Akkadian, who is inbred 3×4 to Danzig, is one of three winners from as many runners out of the unraced Garden Of Eden (Blackfriars), who has also produced the 1100-1200 metre winner Jardin Rouge (Red Element) and 1600 metre maiden winner Lady Athena (Red Element).
Garden Of Eden is an unraced half-sister to Grand Nirvana (Scenic), twice a winner of both the Roma Cup (Gr 3, 1200m) and Belmont Sprint (Gr 3, 1400m), both run at Belmont Park.
They are out of Group 3 winner Paradise Park (Bletchley Park), who has also been responsible for 1000-1600 metre winner On The Warpath (Chief Bearhart) and 1600-2000 winner Dheka (Xaar).
Garden Of Eden, who was purchased by Randwick Bloodstock Agency for $20,000 at last year’s Inglis Sydney Weanling and Broodmare Sale, also has a two-year-old filly by Whittington (Tale Of The Cat) and a colt foal by Nicconi (Bianconi). She was covered by Star Turn (Star Witness) on November 17 last year.