Argo wasn’t to be denied

Improving three-year-old Argo overcame a tardy getaway to earn a share of the spoils at Te Rapa.

Our son of Almanzor had broken his maiden at his previous outing and continued his winning form when he dead-heated for first in Rating 65 company over 1200 metres.

“He got a bit restless in the gates and had to do a bit of work early, so it was a good effort,” trainer Tony Pike said.

Argo improved quickly to sit outside the leader and answered every call from apprentice Sam McNab in the run to the post.

“He was playing around in the barrier, and I had to use him a bit. He’s still quite green so he will continue to improve,” McNab said.

His dam is the Snitzel mare Untamed Diamond, a quality sprinter who won on seven occasions including success in the Listed Waikato Sprint.

We subsequently purchased her for A$200,000 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, but sadly Argo is her last foal having previously also left Ocean Park’s winning son Richard And I.

Argo was sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $80,000 and we remained in the ownership group, which includes the Group 1-winning pair of Pike and Leith Innes.

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