Burgundy Rose - 3rd Saturday Winner

Notching the third win on Saturday for trainer Mark Walker, Burgundy Rose (6 m Burgundy - Paraiba, by Faltaat) was far too slippery in the $40,000 Open 1000 metres at Riccarton.

Having raced very well last season for two wins and a second in the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m), and now a winner eight times on different racecourses, Burgundy Rose had finished well for fourth in a trial on 4 August at Te Rapa, and the fresh-up assignment was aided by her genuine attributes.

Ridden by Te Akau apprentice Joe Kamaruddin, Burgundy Rose was mustered from barrier one to lead and relished the role before throttling down at the 400m to clear out by two and a half lengths. She never gave any rival a look in.

After running an unofficial track record when winning the Rating 74 1215 metres (1:12.29) on 6 January at Rotorua, and posting 1:09.7 for 1200 metres to win in February at Otaki, Burgundy Rose also clocked a very slick last 600m (33.2) when second in the Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m), and like her sire, Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), she possess a ton of speed.

In the race sponsored by Pauline Jeffs, Burgundy Rose ran 1000 metres in 57.5, carrying 56.5kg, and returned $2.40 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

Bred by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNMZ, and syndicated among Te Akau owners, she is raced by the Te Akau Roses Are Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). Burgundy Rose continued a great run for Burgundy (Redoute's Choice), purchased as a yearling by Ellis to win five stakes' races, and his homebred fillies.

Last season, Burgundy homebred fillies Maven Belle and Belle En Rouge produced Group 1 phenomenal results, along with the winner of three from five in Cote de Beaune.

Maven Belle, a strong contender for Champion Two-Year-Old, became the seventh Matamata Breeders' Stakes' (Gr. 2, 1200m) winner for Te Akau, finished an unlucky third in the Sistema Stakes (Gr. 1, 1200m), and ended her season making it five in a row for the stable in the Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m).

Meanwhile Belle En Rouge finished third in the 1000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), before winning the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) to tie stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking) for NZB Filly of the Year.

“We've had another good day, with three winners and two runners stakes' placed in both the O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes and Wanganui Guineas,” Ellis said.

“She's a top mare Burgundy Rose, handled Riccarton really well at her first look there and she could be a big chance in the Steward's Stakes (Gr. 3, 1200m) during Cup Week.

“Hunter Durrant and our team are doing a great job with the horses at Riccarton, which is terrific because we love to support South Island racing and there are some great opportunities for the horses.

“It's great to see Joe (Kamaruddin) continue to ride winners, after getting two on Thursday at Riccarton, and he's going to win the Apprentice Jockey Award for 2021/22 at the Horse of the Year awards' dinner on Sunday night in Hamilton.”

Burgundy Rose was strapped by Lydia Truesdale.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz