Fifth Stakes Win for Fighting Burgundy

The $1.3 million entireBurgundy(NZ) (Redoutes Choice x Grand Echezeaux) took his fifth stakes win, and capped off a great day for his trainer Jason Bridgman and Te Akau Racing, with victory in the $50,000 Listed Fairdale/Goodwood Studs Flying Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.

Burgundy was resuming after just over two months away from the track and he turned in a game front-running performance under jockey Matthew Cameron, fighting off rivals I Do (No Excuse Needed) and Special Draw (Falkirk) in a determined effort to win by half a neck.

Burgundy may now head to Queensland for the Winter Carnival

The four-year-old won the Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) fresh up in November in much the same fashion as Saturdays race before finishing fifth and third in New Zealands Group 1 sprints, the Railway Stakes and Telegraph Handicap.

Saturdays win completed a great day for Jason Bridgman who also saw Karaka graduate Better Than Ever (French Deputy) win the Group 2 Lawnmaster Awapuni Gold Cup.

Hes an unbelievable horse, commented Te Akau Principle David Ellis. We are now looking towards the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap with him and will plan out his lead in races over the next few days.

He capped off a great day for us and for Pencarrow Stud with Darci Brahma siring Recite who won the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes at the same meeting. Its a family that is really producing results so its great for his breeders Peter and Philip Vela.

Burgundys victory finished a successful meeting for his breeders Peter and Philip Vela who own his dam Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), and who also produced Burgundys three-quarter brother Darci Brahma.

A $1.3 million yearling, Burgundy was purchased by David Ellis from Peter and Philip Velas Pencarrow Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale and is raced by the Te Akau 2010 Breeding Syndicate.

The son of Redoutes Choice has now won seven of his 12 starts for $214,125 in stakes.