Bradman on target for southern Group finale
A rejuvenated Bradman (NZ) (Pins) will chase further course and distance success at Trentham on Saturday ahead of a final trip south to bring the curtain down on his career.
The hardy eight-year-old came indifferent efforts to run his rivals into the deck earlier this month and a repeat performance in the Aztech Engineering Handicap (1500m) now beckons.
“He was coming up slowly after he had spelled so well and he had put in three or four lack lustre runs really,” Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson said.
“I thought he ranged up to win at Wanganui and he didn’t finish it off, so we changed a couple of things in his training.”
They had the desired outcome last time out at Trentham with Bradman making the running and then headed wide out on the track in the run home to comfortably hold his rivals at bay.
“We took him away from the colts at home and stuck him on the fillies’ side and that seems to have worked, he’s an older gelding and it’s brightened him up,” Bergerson said.
All going well at the weekend, Bradman will be on a path toward Riccarton for a third crack at the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m).
The son of Pins has twice placed in the race and the August 1 feature will be his final race day outing.
“He’s climbed to the top of the weight scale and it’s pretty hard on him, so he’ll probably have a jump-out or a trial before he heads south for his last run,” Bergerson said.
Bradman has been a grand stable representative with 10 wins, including the Listed Handicap (1400m), and 24 placings with stake earnings of more than $380,000.
The half-brother to Group One winners Tofane and No Compromise was purchased by part-owner Bergerson at Karaka for $85,000.
Meanwhile, a strong resuming effort from Farravallo in Saturday’s Australian Turf Club North Island Challenge Stakes (1200m) will boost his chances of accompanying Bradman to the Grand National carnival.
“It depends how he goes, but there is a sprint down there for him,” Bergerson said.
The Belardo gelding hasn’t raced since last spring and was placed in a recent 1000m open heat at the Waverley trials ahead of his return.
“He’s come back well and has really matured, he’s probably about 25kg heavier than he was,” Bergerson said.
“He’s just a powerhouse, he looks great and his work has been good, his trial was okay so he’s going really well.”
Farravello is a proven fresh performer with two wins and three placings from past first-up outings and his four career victories have been posted on wet ground.
