Bullrush salutes for the Murdoch team

A change of environment has paid dividends for the royally bred Bullrush who notched his first victory on New Zealand soil with a commanding all-the-way win at Hastings.

The half-brother by O’Reilly to the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes winner Sports Illustrated made his way back to local shores earlier in the year after commencing his racing career in Sydney.

Unbeaten in his first five starts from the Rosehill stable of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, the six-year-old placed just once in five subsequent outings and hadn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Listed Abell Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The change of scenery to the beach-training operation of Moira and Kieran Murdoch has revitalised the statuesque gelding and it showed as he charged out of the barriers to take control of the rating 85 1200 metre contest from the jump.

Rider Leith Innes set a moderate tempo and it was obvious a long way from home that the combination would take some catching. Despite being chased hard by outsider Morse Code, Bullrush had enough petrol in the tank to score by half a length in 1.11.20 on the Dead 4 rated surface. – NZ Racing Desk