Burridge with another double

Craig Brennan
Friday, February 19, 2010

Trainer Steven Burridge continued his recent run of success by claiming the opening race on Friday night, the $35,000 Class 5 Stakes over 1800m with Flash Gordon.

Burridge has won the opening race at the last three Friday night meetings.

Flash Gordon was successful in the opening race a fortnight ago before Burridge went on to record a career best five winners for the night.

Flash Gordon makes it two on the trot in the opener on Friday night.

On Friday night, Flash Gordon, ridden by Ruzaini Supien, scored by a length-and-a-quarter over Honest (Robbie Fradd) with Kingpin (Mark Ewe) two-and-a-half lengths away third.

Burridge said Flash Gordon had done a good job to record his second win on end after jumping sharply in the weights.

“He was up 3kg so that’s why we had to go for the claim,” said Burrdige. “It’s been a good effort and all he wants to do is stay.

“He’s going to find it tougher now that he will be up in grade, but he’s in form and deserves his chance.

“Now that he knows what winning is about, maybe he can go on and win another.

“He’s maturing all the time and just wants ground.”

The victory was Burridge’s 15^th victory for the season, leaving him four wins clear of Laurie Laxon in the early part of the season.

Flash Gordon, a brother to Lim’s Connection, is a four-year-old by Catbird from the Generous mare Kayzarana.

An A$100,000 purchase as a two-year-old, Friday night’s victory was Flash Gordon’s second in 16 starts and took his prizemoney past the $50,000 mark for the Oriole Stable.

Burridge made it a double later in the night when Teen Angel scored a stunning seven length win in the $65,000 Restricted Maiden over 1200m.

Eased down over the last 100m by jockey Vlad Duric, Teen Angel ran the time of 1 min 09.56 secs in scoring over Sky Protege (Ruzaini Supien) with Little Tiger (Robbie Fradd) two-and-a-quarter lengths away third.

It was her first outing since she chased home Raleigh at her debut back on December 18.

"She had a few problems after that run so we gave her a bit of time to get over them," said Burridge.

"She's a lovely filly who is a runner and hopefully she'll continue to keep going forward."

Duric was equally impressed with the filly and said when she learns to relax she could develop into a smart sprinter.

"She tugged along in front a bit, but she's run really good time and looks quite promising," he said.

Teen Angel is a New Zealand-bred three-year-old filly by My Halo from the Danasinga mare Lamri and is owned by David Heagarty. She was passed-in for A$20,000 as two-year-old and has already returned her owner around $50,000 in prizemoney.