Stanica - the 3rd - Star

A plan hatched by trainer Jason Bridgman to return Stanica Star (7 g Danzero - Stanica, by Zabeel) to the venue of his previous success came to fruition when the striking black gelding won the Benchmark 85 1800 metres on Dec. 23 at New Plymouth.

Not only that, but fitting a one cup blinker to his near side allowed him to retain a better line in the straight and he did the job nicely, up in grade, having won the Benchmark 75 1600 metres on the same course thirty-one days earlier.

With promising apprentice Mick Dee in the saddle once again, Stanica Star secured a lovely position fourth on the outer with cover and although over-racing into the back straight he settled better when the tempo increased at the 800 metres. Ranging four wide on the home turn, he went up to challenge stylishly at the 200m and ran through the line with more to offer in a narrow yet compelling victory.

“It was a good ride by Mick (Dee) -  the horse pulled quite hard and they really didn't go any tempo,” said Bridgman.

“He pulled with blinkers on at the trials and with the one cup blinker on I think that with no pace, a month between races, and first time around two turns over 1800 metres was a new experience for him. He had run two thirds going over 1800 metres at Riccarton, but that was a bigger track around only one turn.

“I thought he looked under pressure on the corner, but Mick kept him balanced and kept him rolling and he ran straight. Although he is probably better at a mile, it was good to get the win,” said Bridgman.

Stanica Star was registering his sixth 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 had continued to train extremely well between the victories.

Now with 38 wins for the season, the three for three haul gave Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman a buffer of three wins at the top of the Trainers Premiership. With an exciting window of racing over the Christmas and New Year period the Te Akau team will be doing its utmost to keep the roll going.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz