Racing: Top Colt ready for Ellerslie return

Burgundy is ready for his return to racing. Photo / Supplied

Punters may still be reeling from Burgundy's disastrous 2000 Guineas campaign but trainer Jason Bridgman says the glamour galloper hasn't lost any lustre in his eyes.

And he is hell-bent on proving that at Ellerslie come Boxing Day.

Burgundy returned for the first time since his Guineas shocker when easily winning at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday.

The $1.3 million yearling buy relaxed beautifully for rider Matt Cameron in the 1200m catchweight and had Holy Moly and Roi D'jeu covered by a length in a sedate 1:14.

But Bridgman was most thrilled by the way Burgundy settled after being allowed to find his feet early, which is going to be crucial if he is asked to extend past 1600m in coming months.

"It was an ideal comeback and he hit the line well after settling early, so we are very happy," Bridgman told the Herald.

That is a far cry from the previous time Burgundy was seen in public when he raced well below his sparkling best when sixth in the Guineas at Riccarton.

That was attributed to a case of the thumps, a rare equine affliction which Bridgman admits he may have been even more confused by had he not seen it first hand in the United States.

"It is far more common over there, affecting something like one in every 200-300 horses because they use Lasix on them," said Bridgman. "But here, it is incredibly rare."

He is carefully monitoring Burgundy's diet in an attempt to reduce any chance of a repeat of the condition, which causes the diaphragm to spasm, and thereby affecting the heart as well.

"If it was diet-based it can come down to a calcium deficiency, which is very hard to test for or predict.

"But we are working on ways of ensuring his system produces enough natural calcium to prevent a re-occurrence."

The next test of that will be in the Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie in 11 days' time and Bridgman says he has no concerns going into the feature without a race since Riccarton.

"It won't be easy but I think with a 3-year-old you can get away with it and he has had this trial now. Last season we did something similar with King's Rose between 2000m races and it didn't bother her."

Bridgman had every reason to shoulder the Riccarton disappointment well since he trained the Guineas winner in Rock 'n' Pop , but he says he still felt for Burgundy.

"I was disappointed for the horse because everything else he has done in his career has been faultless.

"I know after he got beat like that in a group one, people might think it was the class of the race.

"But it wasn't that at all. He is the real deal, I have absolutely no doubt and it is my job to let him show that."

While Burgundy will remain in the entries for the Telecom Derby in March, Bridgman is open to changing tack should he prove too brilliant for a classic 2400m.

"We are very open about his plans. He could revert to taking on the older horses over 1400m or 1600m or even Australia for the Guineas over there.

"But the main priority is to win a group one with him this season and he is good enough to do that."

Stablemate Rock 'n' Pop has the Derby firmly in his sights, though, and won't be seen until mid January.

"He will start off in a 3-year-old race, head to the Karaka Mile and then the Avondale Guineas.

"I suppose out of the two he is the more likely to be suited by the 2400m of the Derby but I wouldn't be surprised if they were both there on Derby Day."

And if they aren't, Bridgman will still be smiling. "Any season if you got one of these two to train you would be over the moon. So I'm pretty thrilled to have them both."