Newhaven Park

Trainer Steven Burridge welcomed a change of fortune when Pure Tactics took out the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.

Ridden by Oscar Chavez, Pure Tactics scored by two-and-a-half lengths from All My Way (Saifudin Ismail) with Murali (Jose Verenzuela) a further two-and-a-quarter lengths away third.

The success of Pure Tactics was the first time Burridge had visited the winner’s circle since Goliath had been victorious on March 8.

In between times Burridge had notched a number of second placings, which Burridge shrugged off as just being part and parcel of racing.

Burridge currently sits in equal second place on the Trainer’s Premiership with 16 winners for the season – five behind leader Mark Walker – but has also amassed 23 second placings.

The 2010 Champion Trainer was more interested in advising that the victory of Pure Tactics was his third for the day. He shares ownership of two winners during the day back in Australia.

“I’ve had a winner at Pakenham and another on the Sunshine Coast as well today,” said Burridge.

“We won’t be seeing them up in the short term though. The Pakenham winner is a half-sister to Linton but she can’t get past five furlongs and Linton is a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m) horse and has been mentioned as a possible SIA (Singapore Airlines International) Cup contender.

“I don’t like to dwell too much on the negatives. Sure they are frustrating when you have a few seconds, but you move on and look forward to your next winner.”

Ironically following Pure Tactic’s victory Burridge was back in the runners-up stall in the following race when Joyous Express finished second in the $65,000 Graduation Stakes.

Pure Tactics was having his first start since December when second to Tiger Master over 1600m and soon after the gelding underwent surgery to correct a wind problem.

“He disappointed at his last start and that’s when we found he had a wind problem,” said Burridge.

“We had him operated on after that and you wonder sometimes whether they can make it back.

“Luckily he’s come back and won first-up after Oscar gave him a great ride.”

Chavez was able to find the fence aboard Pure Tactics and saved valuable ground to track All My Way and Murali into the straight.

He shifted Pure Tactics over the heels of the leaders but still had a little difficulty getting into the clear, but when he did the gelding sprinted quickly to race away for a comfortable win.

A three-year-old by Strategic from Blizzardly, Pure Tactics was a Magic Millions purchase and was having his eighth race start on Sunday having previous finished in the minor money on four occasions. The victory took his prizemoney past the $75,000 mark for Leong Phooi Yee, the same owner as Burridge’s smart sprinter Captain Obvious.