Blueblood Burgundy set the scene for a big season with a fighting first-up victory in the Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) on Friday.

Burgundy (4h Redoute’s Choice – Grand Echezeaux by Zabeel) won the LR Mr Tiz Trophy and G3 Breeders’ Stakes in his final two starts last season and completed a hat-trick in his campaign-opener at Otaki.

The Jason Bridgman trained star had to work early and then came under siege in the straight before finding enough for a brave half length victory.  “He is a resolute galloper and never knows when he’s beat,” commented Bridgman.  “He wasn’t fully wound up and will take a lot of improvement from the race.”

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, Burgundy is a three-quarter-brother to Darci Brahma and cost $1.30 million from Pencarrow Stud at NZ Bloodstock’s Karaka Premier Sale.  That was the second highest price of the 2010 Sale and he has won 6 of 9 starts for David Ellis and the Te Akau 2010 Breeding Syndicate.

Burgundy had won his first three starts but pulled up with the thumps in the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas twelve months ago.  He will get a chance for redemption at the elite level when tackling upcoming assignments in the G1 Railway Stakes (1200m) and G1 Telegraph Hcp (1200m).

BURGUNDY
Levin Stakes winner is a three-quarter brother to Darci Brahma