Burgundy (NZ) Sets Scene for Big Season

The blue-blooded entire Burgundy a $1.3 million purchase from NZBs 2010 Karaka Premier Sale has set the scene for a big season with a fighting fresh up victory in the $50,000 Listed Chainey's Panasonic Levin Stakes (1200m).

A triple stakes winning three-year-old, Burgundy (Redoutes Choice x Grand Echezeaux, by Zabeel) won the Listed Mr Tiz Trophy and Group 3 Breeders Stakes in his final two starts last season and came into todays Listed race fresh up after winning both of his trials.

Burgundy wins the Group 3 Breeders Stakes in his final 3YO start

Ridden by jockey Matthew Cameron, Burgundy had to work early to take the lead and came under siege in the straight but in a brave effort from the four-year-old he kept finding and held his rivals to the line to win by half-a-length.

Trainer Jason Bridgman was pleased with the horses fresh up performance.

He is a resolute galloper and he never knows when hes beat, commented Bridgman. He missed the start slightly and had to do a bit of work early which cost him a bit in the straight.

He will take a lot of improvement from the race. He wasnt fully wound up for today so coming into the Christmas and New Year races he will be fully fit. We will take him to the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) next up and then onto the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m).

I think once he gets up to 1400 and 1600 metres this preparation we will see the best of this horse.

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, Burgundy was purchased by David Ellis from Pencarrow Stud at New Zealand Bloodstocks 2010 Karaka Premier Sale for $1.3 million, the second highest price of his year.

He is raced by the Te Akau 2010 Breeding Syndicate and has now won six of his nine career starts for over $150,000 in stakes.