Preparing for the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Open Handicap, 1200m) on 7 November at Te Rapa, Burgundy Belle (5m Burgundy – Spin ‘N Grin) had an exhibition gallop between races on 28 October at Te Aroha.

Ridden by Danielle Johnson, she worked over 1000 metres, clocking 48.9 for the 800m and last 600m in 35.2.

“She went really well and feels good,” Johnson said. “Although she does not have the best of actions, she stretched out well and it didn’t feel as though she was going that quickly. It was pretty slick working by herself. They are kicking off the track. It’s lovely and has a good sole of grass.”

Stakes placed last time out in the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1400 metres), Burgundy Belle was bred by David Ellis CNZM & Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM, is owned and raced by the Fortuna Burgundy Belle Syndicate (Manager: John Galvin), and boasts a terrific record: four wins, two seconds, and four thirds, from 11 starts.

Ellis also purchased her dam, Spin ‘N Grin (Spinning World), for $65,000 at the 2003 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and trained by Mark Walker she won the Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) and finished second in the New Zealand Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m). She has left five individual winners of 15 races, including the Fortuna owned and raced Singapore gallopers, Major Tom (Darci Brahma) and Jack’s Secret (Sakhees Secret) both multiple winners in Singapore and Group 1 and Group 3 placed (Macau) Éclair Lightning (Darci Brahma).