Bargain buy Willow Bridge can complete a winning week for owner Steven Rosel in the LR Belmont Guineas on Saturday.

Willow Bridge (3g Testa Rossa – Trish Glee by Success Express) has been installed a $3 opening favourite for the $80,000 Listed event after a promising start to his career.

The Testa Rossa gelding was beaten a nose on debut over 1600m at Pinjarra during the Anzac Day long weekend and then came to town to win over the same trip at Belmont.

He started an odds-on favourite last time out at Belmont but was beaten a half-length by Stormy Scene and Fiery Nights after racing in the bleachers.

The Aquanita galloper has drawn wide again in the Guineas and trainer Simon Miller has engaged experienced hoop Pat Carberry in an effort to diffuse the draw.

Rosel bought Willow Bridge for a mere $1,750 as a foal from the Touchstone Farm draft at the 2008 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.  

His dam won at Hawkesbury and Newcastle before heading west via Baramul Stud.  Second dam Just Trish (Sovereign Red) was a G3 winner of the AJC Chairman’s Hcp at Randwick.

Rosel went back and bought Willow Bridge’s younger half-brother by Hurricane Sky for $2,200 at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.  

“Steve’s got a great eye for a horse,” Miller claimed.  “He also bought Navarda Lad at the same sale as Willow Bridge and he looks a promising type, too.”

Navarda Lad (3g State City – Tenant by Canny Lad) won the Westspeed 3yo Hcp (1200m) after being backed in from $11 to a $6.50 favourite on Wednesday.  He had won a Northam maiden on debut in October and was resuming from a seven month spell this week.

The State City gelding is raced by Rosel and Darryl Dawson and cost just $2,000 from Korilya Stud.  “He showed ability right from the start,” Miller said.  “We did had a few issues with him and needed to take our time.  He can step him up to Saturday race next time.”

Navarda Lad is from the second crop of State City (Carson City) who stood at Lynward Park until 2007.  He has sired 24 winners of 54 races to date.

His dam Tenant has also thrown winners by Quest for Fame, Dracula and Bletchley Park.  Second dam Charter (Red Anchor) foaled the Woodlands Group 2 winner Hire (Canny Lad) and Lease (Quest for Fame).