One of just four live foals in the first crop of Hardham, the David Brideoake-trained Affordable became the first winner for the son of Redoute's Choice when opening his account at the second time of asking at Bendigo on Sunday.
Second over 1200m when on debut Geelong on June 5, Affordable took the step up to 1600m in his stride. With Michael Dee in the saddle, Affordable came with a sweeping from the back of the six-horse field to defeat Splendid Chap (Tivaci) by two and three-quarter lengths with Transzam (Pierro) a short-half-head back in third.
"There was more merit to the win than it looked as they went slow, and in these small fields, it can be hard to make ground. So, he was pretty impressive," stable representative Matt Jenkins said.
"He is a laidback customer, so there has been no real plan for him, but the way he is going, you would think that maybe put him away with the derby as a 3yo, but David will make that decision with the guys in Hong Kong."
Like his sire, Affordable races for his breeder Dr Gene Choi. He is the second winner from five to race out of the talented Anabaa mare Preventable, a 4-time winning daughter of Group 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas winner Clear Rose (Deputy Governor).
Preventable has a weanling colt by Toronado (IRE) and was covered by Russian Camelot (IRE) last spring.
A brother to the Group 1 CJC New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner King's Rose, Hardham had his day in the sun when winning the Group II MVRC Alister Clark Stakes when trained by Brideoake after spending time with Peter Moody and Mick Price.
In his four seasons at stud, the eight mares covered in his first season was the largest, although he had five foals from as many mares served in 2020.
Standing at Wellington Park North, the son of Redoute's Choice covered three mares last spring.
