Jason Bridgman says Burgundy won’t need to set the pace as he looks to emulate his close relation Darci Brahma in Saturday’s 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Burgundy was a $1.3 million buy as a yearling, not surprising given that he is a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma, one of the easiest winners of the Guineas in recent memory.
Unlike Darci Brahma he didn’t start at two but he is unbeaten in three starts as a three-year-old and looks to have inherited much of the family ability.
Burgundy has won his last two races from the front but Bridgman, who trains the colt, says he can take a sit if needed.
“He’s been at the front because he begins so fast,” Bridgman told NZ Newswire.
“But he relaxes beautifully after he jumps. It’s not as if he’s a hard horse to control, and if something else wanted to lead he should be fine.”
Bridgman also rates his second string Rock’n’Pop, who has a win and two seconds from his three starts, as a winning chance.
“The number one gate isn’t ideal for him as he’ll be held up and might need a little bit of luck, but he’s got a great finishing sprint.”
He rates his third starter, Secret Whisper, as a chance to run in the first five if he can get a favourable run.
The hardest for Bridgman’s trio to beat on paper is the favourite Anabandana, last year’s champion two-year-old.
Anabandana’s trainer Don Sellwood said the filly could also bypass the 2000 Guineas in favour of the 1000 Guineas for fillies a week later but Bridgman understands she would be lining up and she was a $2.50 favourite on the New Zealand TAB on Thursday.
NZN
