Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) continued his successful Australian career with a win at Flemington on Saturday.
A winner of two races in New Zealand from the stable of co-owner Graeme Richardson, Defibrillate made his Australian debut in October for Victorian trainer Patrick Payne, winning his first two starts before finishing runner-up at Ballarat last month.
The five-year-old gelding was back in the winner’s circle on Saturday after delivering a strong finish under regular rider Billy Egan to claim the Summer on the Roof Garden Handicap (2530m).
“He is definitely going to make a class stayer,” Egan said. “He is improving with each run and I think this is just the tip of the iceberg and he has a long way to go.
“He is still very raw and only had seven starts.
“It is certainly mentally (where he can develop more) and I think he can develop physically into a stronger horse.”
“I don’t think they will rush him anywhere they will just let him win his way through the grades.”
The win took Defibrillate’s record to five wins from seven starts and his earnings over the A$163,000 mark.
Later in the day fellow New Zealand-bred gelding Bumper Blast (NZ) (Ocean Park) produced a devastating finish to grab victory in the final stride of the Lounge Trophy (1400m).
The four-year-old gelding was having his fifth career start and brought up his third win after flying down the outside of the field to get his nose in front of River Jewel (Snitzel) on the line.
“I was very happy to get the win,” said jockey Damien Oliver. “I didn’t think I was going to get there at the 200m and I got stuck into him and he responded really well.”
“He is a nice, promising horse that probably appreciated getting back to the 1400m today.”
Bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Bumper Blast is the first foal from Bucklebury (NZ) (More Than Ready), a daughter of the Lindsay’s top broodmare J’Adane (Danehill).
He was purchased as a weanling by Hallmark Stud at Karaka when offered by Cambria Park before returning to the New Zealand Bloodstock auction ring as a yearling. He was knocked down to Price Bloodstock for $48,000.
Saturday’s win took Bumper Blast’s winnings to over $162,000.
