Another Winning Double

Two from two today - a perfect 100% strike rate - for Te Akau NZ trainer Jason Bridgman.  Taking Stanica Star and Milan Miss to New Plymouth today - both duly delivered in fine fashion - moving Jason further clear on the Trainers' Premiership.

Let's celebrate our first winner of the day - Stanica Star!

After being in terrific form at the trials prior to resuming in a stronger field at Tauranga, Stanica Star (7 g Danzero - Stanica, by Zabeel) extended his fine spring racing record with a comprehensive victory in the Powerworx Benchmark 75 1600 metres on Nov. 22 at New Plymouth.

Having run through the line with purpose from the rear over 1400 metres fresh-up, in his first attempt right-handed, Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman considered a return to left-handed and a step to the mile was all Stanica Star required to prove competitive.

Handled with aplomb in his trials by promising apprentice jockey Mick Dee, who remained aboard after riding him at Tauranga, Stanica Star was registering his fifth win for Sammy, Barry and Jacky Wu from Hong Kong, after being purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $140,000, from the draft of Pencarrow Stud at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale. With wins each year since 2010, he shows no signs of regressing and stripped looking a picture.

Squeezed at the start and last of eleven on a competitive pace, Stanica Star circled from seven lengths off the pace at the 600 metres and when asked to extend he sprinted home resolutely to run the mile out on good footing in 1:35 flat.

“It was a really good run and he did easily,” said Dee. “He came into it in the open, which he prefers and really travelled. He had been working like he could win and he looks great. I got stuck on the inside at Tauranga, and Jason (Bridgman) and Tommy (Hazlett) told me he would travel a lot better in the open.

Bridgman was pleased to see Stanica Star return to winning form, especially in the north after winning previously in the South Island.

“He had trialled up very well and we drew a line through the run at Tauranga,” said Bridgman. “It's great to see him back in the winner's circle and he has done very well for a horse that fractured his sesamoid bone as a two-year-old and the vet said he'd never race."

Out the good mare Stanica (Zabeel), who finished second in the [2004] Avondale Cup (Gr. 1, 2200m) and was unlucky, Stanica Star is in turn from the Sunday Silence mare Love Connection, a family that has left a multitude of winners; and continues to do so.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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