Burgundy set to defy history in Guineas

There's no denying that it's a tall order to win a group one in your first preparation, but against your own age group it's a little bit different than against all-comersJason Bridgman, trainer of BurgundyHistory shows it's not easy for a horse to win a 2000 Guineas on the first preparation.

You have to go back to the Jim Campin-trained Hero in 1996 to find the last winner of the coveted Riccarton group one who only began racing as a 3-year-old.

Then again, Burgundy has looked like a rule-breaker from the first time he raced.

Certainly Matamata trainer Jason Bridgman isn't letting the history book dent his confidence in the unbeaten $1.3 million yearling tomorrow.

Although the three-quarter brother to 2005 Guineas winner Darci Brahma faces last year's champion 2-year-old Anabandana in just his fourth race, Bridgman is far from rattled.

"There's no denying that it's a tall order to win a group one in your first preparation, but against your own age group it's a little bit different than against all-comers," said Bridgman.

"From a horseman's angle, I couldn't be happier - he's ready to run the race of his life."

The exciting thing for Bridgman is that Burgundy has yet to hit full flight and be asked to dig into his considerable reserves.

In each of his only three starts so far, the Redoute's Choice colt has hit the line with lengths more in the tank.

"He's never looked like coming to the end of it and being stretched by the distance [1200m, 1400m, 1600m]," said Bridgman.

"If anything, he's been more assertive each time and revelling in the work."

Unlike Anabandana who arrived in Christchurch by plane from Cambridge only on Wednesday night, Burgundy has had a lot longer to adjust to life in the south.

He floated down from Matamata just a few days before his listed win in the Canterbury Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on October 23, and has thrived at Te Akau's Rangiora base ever since.

The Canterbury Stakes is a proven path to Guineas' glory for the stable.

King's Chapel ran third in the same race (when staged at Rangiora) before winning the 2003 Guineas next up, and five years later, Tell A Tale followed suit.

He scraped home by half a head for Troy Harris in the listed lead-up at Riccarton, before charging home late again to nab 2000 Guineas favourite Il Quello Veloce, ridden by his father, Noel.

Bridgman doesn't expect Burgundy's No11 barrier tomorrow will stop him joining the club.

Any other horse and it probably would be a concerning factor, but with Burgundy it's a positive.

"He's got such natural speed that with luck he will have negated the gate within 100m," said Bridgman. "It also means that if he misses the kick at least he can retain a position. If he'd drawn the inside and something goes wrong he could end up in a hell of a mess."

If the forecasted showers arrive before start time and the inside cuts out, the wider alley is also an advantage, says Bridgman.

Ideally, however, Bridgman wants to see a rock-hard spring surface - it'll suit his colt and his electrifying acceleration more than others.

Although Bridgman nominates Anabandana as the obvious danger, he's also tipping stablemate Rock 'N' Pop to be amongst the placegetters.

Also in his first preparation and trying group one company at just his fourth start, the son of New Zealand Derby winner Popsy has thrived since winning on debut at Riccarton on September 17.

Bridgman is adamant he would have beaten Ray Coupland Stakes winner Shuka in his past start if he hadn't shied near the line.

"He's a really exciting colt with a turn of foot, who will be a big threat in the race," said Bridgman.

"He's beaten himself in his last two starts. But I was talking to the breeder and he said Popsy was the same - it took a while for the penny to drop."

Bridgman said the inside gate isn't ideal for the green Fastnet Rock colt.

He won't want to hit the front too soon but from the fence he knows rider Jamie Bullard may get only one opening.

Bridgman said First4 punters should also consider including third-string stablemate Secret Whisper on the multiple ticket.

He comes into the race on the same first-prep, three-race lead-in, but his last-start sixth to Burgundy in the Canterbury Stakes is better than it looks on paper.

"He might lack the class of the other two but he's certainly not lacking in ability," said Bridgman.

"He's a definite first five hope. Overall, they're an even bunch of 3-year-olds and quite often it can come down to luck in the running."

Meanwhile, rival Cambridge trainer Don Sellwood said yesterday that Anabandana arrived safely in Christchurch after her Wednesday evening flight.

But he will still reserve a final call on whether to start the filly in the 2000 Guineas until race morning.

"She had a canter this morning and will have another tomorrow and that'll be it," said Sellwood, who is thrilled with the horse's condition since her last-start second to Antonio Lombardo at Te Rapa.

Katie Lee was the first horse to win both the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas two years ago.