Burgundy Rose in Full Winning Bloom

Another ride of pinpoint accuracy by Danielle Johnson aided Burgundy Rose  (4 m Burgundy - Paraiba, by Faltaat) winning fresh-up in the $27,500 Rating 74 1000 metres on Sunday at Trentham.

With a massive 30-win lead in the jockey premiership, and having won the first two races on the programme aboard Hold The Press (Press Statement), and stable-mate Silver Lake (Redoute's Choice), Johnson managed to secure a perfect trail behind the leader on Burgundy Rose, from barrier five, quickened through across the junction to lead against the rail onto the course proper and the mare found plenty in a stylish performance.

As dedicated, driven and professional as any in the jockey ranks, Johnson recorded her 900^thvictory in September aboard subsequent impressive winning stable-mate Entriviere (Tavistock) and every aspect of her skills has sharpened since combining predominantly this season with trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team.

In the race sponsored by Wyndspelle @ Grangewilliam Stud, Burgundy Rose, given rain-affected Dead5 footing, ran the 1000 metres in a slick 57.5.

“She's always shown a heap of speed and it was a really nice win,” said leading trainer Jamie Richards. “I saw the race programmed about three weeks ago, so elected to trial her again over a half mile (800m) on the 15^that Avondale. Joe (Kamaruddin) gave her a strong hit-out in the trial and I think that was the key to having her forward enough for today. 

“Resuming over 1000 metres suited her, down in weight (54.5kgs), handy barrier (5), a good ride, and it all came together well. 

“Obviously Danielle (Johnson) is riding in great form and to have picked up 50 winners already at this earlier stage of the season is an incredible achievement. 

“Burgundy Rose will work her way through the grades. We were very pleased with her condition heading to Trentham, after not having everything go her way in the Gore Guineas last season. She's had a good long break, strengthened up and is going well. All credit to the team at the Main Stable, they have done a wonderful job with her and she's one that has also been up at the beach and done some work there as well.”

A three-time winner, with three seconds, from seven starts, Burgundy Rose annihilated her rivals by six lengths in the Maiden 3YO 1100 metres last October at Taupo, and registered her second win with a polished display in the 2YO & 3YO 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Wingatui, on her way to contesting the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m). Bred by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM, she is owned by the Te Akau Roses Are Red Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

“It was a big thrill to win another race with Burgundy Rose, a filly that was born and raised at Te Akau Stud,” Ellis said. “Karyn was looking for a horse to syndicate and I said we had this beautiful Burgundy filly. So, the owners have a good horse on their hands.”

“That was Jamie's 40^thwin for the season. He's well in front in the training premiership, currently sixth in the jumps premiership, and ninth in the TRC Global Trainer Rankings.”

“Yesterday Palamos became our third individual two-year-old winner this season. Jamie has won all three two-year-old races in the north (all combining with Troy Harris) and the win by Burgundy Rose means he's topped $1m in prize money this season and his strike rate is 4.9. Those are incredible statistics, which everyone involved should be very proud of and he's included another A$815,000 in prize money this season in Australia.”

Burgundy Rose was strapped by Te Akau's Racing Manager Libby Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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