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Zadig gets off the mark at Wagga Wagga.

Having finished sixth on debut, Zadig (2 g ex Zrinski by Redoute's Choice) got off the mark at the second time of asking when he broke his maiden over 1200 metres at Wagga Wagga and in the process became the third first-crop winner for Darley Stud's first-season sire Astern (Medaglia d'Oro) and second this week. 

The Jean Dubois-trained two-year-old gelding stayed on strongly to beat Largo Winch - who is by Arrowfield Stud-based first season sire Maurice (Screen Hero) - by three-quarters of a length. Spicy Restaurant (Poet's Voice) was another half a length away in third. 

The gelding was purchased by Woodpark for $60,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the Twin Hills Stud draft in 2020, having been bought by Bill Andrews for $67,500 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the Newhaven Park draft a year earlier. 

Zadig is out of winning Redoute's Choice (Danehill) mare Zrinski, who is herself a daughter of 2010 VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Brazilian Pulse (Captain Rio). 

Zrinski's 2019 filly by Written Tycoon (Iglesia) was passed in at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when she failed to make her $250,000 reserve and after missing to Written Tycoon in 2020 she was covered by his Widden Stud-based son Written By in September. 

Zadig joins Listed winner Seradess and Do As You're Told as Astern's other winners and Edinglassie Stud will offer the only yearling by the stallion at this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.