Burgundy (NZ) Sets Scene for Big Season

The blue-blooded entire Burgundy � a $1.3 million purchase from NZB�s 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 (Redoute�s 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 today�s 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 horse�s fresh up performance.

�He is a resolute galloper and he never knows when he�s 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 wasn�t 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 Bloodstock�s 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.��