21 May 2017
Burgundy two-year-old Hard Merchandize proved a class above his rivals when he scored handsomely on his Awapuni home turf on Saturday.
A son of Cambridge Stud's Group One performer Redoute's Choice stallion Burgundy, Hard Merchandize made it two wins from just four starts when he eased to victory in the hands of Hayden Tinsley over 1200m on a testing heavy 10 surface.
Tinsley never really had the showy bay out of third gear as he sat outside the early pace.
Asked for an effort at the top of the straight Hard Merchandize found a good kick which sent him clear of his five rivals as he maintained a solid gallop to score by 1 3/4 lengths while still under a firm grip from Tinsley.
Trainer Gary Vile was delighted with the effort after making some minor gear adjustments leading into the race.
"He answered a few questions," Vile said.
"He had to handle the track and we wanted him to sit in behind them. He's done all that today.
"He came back in after the Sires' Produce with his tongue over the bit so we introduced the tongue tie and it seems to have worked."
Hard Merchandize, a meritorious fifth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes at his preceding run, credited Burgundy with his first winner when successful on debut at Otaki in November.
The son of Encosta De Lago mare Pride And Passion was a $38,000 purchase for Vile at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale at Karaka from the draft of Little Avondale Stud.
The success of Burgundy's first crop of two-year-olds has led to his appeal with breeders, especially at his 2017 service fee of $7000 plus GST plus live foal guarantee.
In announcing Burgundy's fee last month, Cambridge Stud boss Sir Patrick Hogan said: "He didn't have any premier yearlings at Karaka but his select sales results were very good off a $6000 fee. He sold up to $145,000 at an average of $48,000. His first three runners were all winners." ? NZ Racing Desk