Te Akau Treble - No.3 Burgundy Rose

Denied in a close finish by stable-mate Top Brass (Epaulette) last time out, Burgundy Rose  (3 f Burgundy - Paraiba, by Faltaat) made amends in no uncertain terms when annihilating her rivals in the $10,000 Generation Homes Taupo Maiden 3YO 1100 metres on 9 October at Taupo.

Her form looked good after Top Brass had won the prior race, but Burgundy Rose painted it in a different light as she dashed clear to win by six and a quarter lengths under Te Akau apprentice jockey Chelsea Burdan, to provide trainer Jamie Richards with a hat-trick.

Showing good natural speed to co-lead on the inner, Burgundy Rose travelled sweetly passing the 600 metres, looked best rounding the home turn, and shot away to bolt in.

“She flew home and had plenty of gas in the tank,” said Burdan, as the filly clicked home effortlessly in 34.9 for the last 600m and 1:05.1 overall for the 1200 metres. With strong pointers building around her, and two seconds from as many starts in the form line, Burgundy Rose was a favoured commodity, paying $2.40 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It was a really positive ride from Chelsea (Burdan) and to be fair she stuck to the instructions really well,” said Richards, whose grandparents in Alexandra, Gary & Lorraine McDonnell, share in the ownership.

“She got a cheap sectional in front, let her roll down the hill a little bit and she quickened in well. So, it was good to see her make use of her allowance and beat a good field.

“Chelsea is riding a lot of track work and now she's getting a few more opportunities outside, which translates to more experience. She's learning to make the right decisions and hopefully through the summer we'll continue to see her improve and I really believe she can give the (apprentice) premiership a good shake next year. 

“I've been doing a bit of travelling and haven't seen a lot of track work, so big thanks to the team at home. They've done a top job to get her there in great order. 

“And, just a quick hello to Grandma and Granddad, there first winner in the tangerine so hopefully there's more to come.”

Reflecting on the win by Burgundy Rose and the performances of Te Akau horses racing on the day, principal David Ellis said: “There was some really good efforts there today, great to get a hat-trick, and good to see the stable going so well.

“It goes to show that the staff are doing a super job looking after the horses, especially while Jamie has been travelling to Sydney, Melbourne, and Christchurch, and as usual our horses start to do well when the tracks firm.

“Ronaldo's Dream went super to finish second in the first race. Hierarchy ran well for third in a race where Kylie Bax was very dominant, and Jamie has been adamant that she's a black type mare in the making.

“Top Brass is owned by a great group, Terry Archer and his team, and he's now two from two. Lilikoi running second to him was a top effort and she's going to get black type along the way. 

“And Burgundy Rose is a filly that I bred and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis MNZM) syndicated. It was an incredible win, the most impressive of the day, I thought, and even in the last race Zareeba produced a super run to finish third. 

“Burgundy Rose continues a good run by the sire Burgundy. He's priced at a very competitive service fee ($6,000) and breeders could do a lot worse than sending a mare to him. He was a terrifically talented racehorse that we probably didn't see the best of and he's got a fantastic pedigree. 

“It's 19 wins already this season for Jamie (leading the premiership) which is not easy to do by the first week in October.

“It was great to see Chelsea ride another winner. She's riding intelligently, getting really fit now, and has the strength to be quite aggressive in a finish. She's great value being able to claim three-kilos and no wonder so many outside stables are now using her.”

Burgundy Rose was strapped by Shanine Dickinson.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz

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