$1.3 Million Colt Wins on Debut

One of the most anticipated maiden races of the spring, The Battle Paint 3YO Maiden (1200m) at Taupo this afternoon, saw a brilliant debut performance from the blue-blood colt Burgundy.

A $1.3 million purchase from the Karaka sale ring last year, Burgundy (NZ) (Redoute's Choice x Grand Echezeaux) came into the 1200 metre maiden with two successful trial wins but had to work hard under jockey Matthew Cameron to secure his debut victory.

Missing the start and forced to race three wide, Cameron rated the horse beautifully and kept the $1.90 favourite keen in transit. Coming into the straight, Burgundy found a game challenge in Heat Blast (Captain Rio) who made the colt work, but he was too good in the final stages, racing away to a one-and-a-half-length win.

Burgundy's trainer Jason Bridgman was full of praise for the colt.

"He raced very well, he had a tough trip being posted wide and found a challenge in the straight but he would have taken a lot from the run.

Burgundy's three-quarter-brother Darci Brahma (outside) on his way to victory in the Hawke's Bay Guineas in 2005.

"He's shown us that he has a lot of ability but to show it on the track is another thing entirely so we are very happy to see him win.

"He is such a laid back horse, probably one of the most laid back in the stable, he really is the full package."

Bridgman did not outline a next start for Burgundy who is well on his way to his spring target, the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas.

"We have a number of options for the horse and we will see how he comes through today before deciding where he will go next."

A $1.3 million purchase by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud, Burgundy was bred by Peter and Philip Vela and was offered by Pencarrow Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale.

From one of New Zealand's premier families, Burgundy is out of the Group 1 winning Zabeel mare Grand Echezeaux and is a three-quarter-brother to the five time Group 1 winner and young sire Darci Brahma.

A $1.1 million graduate of the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale, Darci Brahma was also bought by David Ellis and won the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas in 2005, the same race Burgundy is nominated for in November.

Standing at the Oaks Stud, Darci Brahma has made an impressive start to the season with eight individual winners and three individual place-getters from 12 runners since 1 August.

Amongst them his stakes winning son Darci be Good has made a successful return to the track as a three-year-old in Sydney, and his super-talented son Super Easy is now unbeaten in two starts in Singapore.