Bradman in form ahead of Winter Cup swansong
Evergreen galloper Bradman was back in the winner’s circle at Trentham on Wednesday, as he nears his swansong early in the new season.
A winner of nine previous races including the Listed Lightning Handicap (1400m) in 2024, Bradman was back on favourable heavy conditions in the Grant Plumbing 30th Anniversary (1500m) and went straight to the lead for apprentice Jim Chung.
He remained in control of the race throughout and kicked hard on the turn, angling for the outside fence along with much of the field. Chris Dell opted to stay on the fence aboard Benefactor and the pair were wide apart on the track, but Bradman had the upper hand and scored by 2 ¾ lengths.
His trainer Roydon Bergerson was rapt to see the gelding back in winning form as he nears the end of a career that spans seven seasons.
“We thought he was coming right, he spelled so well at Cavallo Park and it just took a couple of runs to get him going again,” he said.
“We thought he would run pretty well today, it probably wasn’t the strongest field he’s raced against for a long time, so we were hoping he’d go well.
“He just needed a heavy track to get going, he’s a lot older and he’s probably the only horse I’ve trained that could run 1.08 on a good track and win on a heavy track as well.
“We’ve changed a few things around with him, he’s switched over to the fillies' side from the colts and he seems happy there, that might’ve charged him up a little bit.”
Bergerson has earmarked the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) as Bradman’s final target during the Grand National Festival at Riccarton, a race he has finished third in on two occasions.
“The Winter Cup will be his last run, he’ll be retired after that,” he said.
“He’ll be nine years old and deserves a nice retirement, he’s been part of the furniture for a number of years.”
Earlier in the meeting, talented mare Ima Brazen One was a comprehensive winner of the Happy 70th Birthday Pat Baker (1200m), her seventh victory in just 21 starts. Prepared by Mike Breslin, the daughter of Brazen Beau was ridden positively by Erin Leighton and cruised clear in the straight, putting an extending 3 ½ length margin on Tolstory and Prioress.
