The Informant Reports ...

Dennis Ryan of The Informant (www.theinformant.co.nz) reports on yesterday's triple treat:

Fresh from a winning double at Taupo on Monday, Jason Bridgman was in hot form at Te Rapa on Wednesday with a treble of wins by stable members having their first starts.

The highlight of the trio was King's Rock, the top-priced lot when bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $1.75 million from Cambridge Stud's 2012 National Premier draft. The Fastnet Rock-Nureyev's Girl colt is a three-quarter-brother to the Bridgman-trained New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas winner King's Rose and made his debut today off the back of a trial win at Te Teko late last month.

The gamble was how he would fare from the outside gate in the 1400-metre Tom & Don's Tribute to Dunstan Dave Maiden but after settling well back he showed his class to get up on the line for rider Matt Cameron.

“I was a little worried how far back he got from the draw, but he rounded them up well over the final stages,” commented Bridgman. “We'll take it run by run but at this stage we have the 2000 Guineas in mind.”

Trial form rang true with Bridgman's next winner Alchemy's Flight, a filly by Darci Brahma from the Gold Trail Stakes winner Eloa who had won at both sets of Te Teko trials in August.

In the colours of owner-breeders Little Avondale Stud, Alchemy's Flight raced on the speed from her wide draw and after taking the lead soon after straightening, stuck to her task and held out the late charge of fellow debutante Matauri Bay.

Appropriately, the race Alchemy's Flight won was named the Te Akau Racing Salutes Dave Smith Maiden, as part of the themed raceday paying tribute to the outgoing Waikato Racing Club chairman and long-time administrator.

It was also fitting that the Te Akau treble was completed by Enhance in the Fairview's Tribute to Sir Lunchalot Maiden. Underscoring the theme of the day, Enhance is raced by her breeder Karyn Fenton-Ellis, chairman-elect of the Waikato Racing Club.

Enhance, who went into today's 1200-metre event off a Te Teko trial second, is by former Te Akau stakes' performer Saperavi, a half-brother to Darci Brahma who stands at South Canterbury stud Willow Glen.