El Chico gave his new owners an instant return when he won the Ashburton Cup yesterday.
El Chico, who had not raced for five months, was having his first race from the stable of Michael Pitman who, along with John and Evelyn Carran, of Otautau, bought the Stravinsky gelding in July.
Pitman made the purchase through Christchurch bloodstock agent Roddy Fulton.
El Chico won four races when trained by Jan Hay for Haunui Farm and R Lam.
El Chico won his first two races from the Matamata stable of Jon Sargent.
El Chico, who has won over 2000m, will have his next start at Wingatui on November 2 as a lead up to the $250,000 Coupland Bakeries Mile at Riccarton eight days later.
John Carran was in the ownership of Pitman-trained winners Sand Toyz (four including the Francolin Stakes at Riverton and Miss Scenicland Stakes at Hokitika), She'll Keep (three), Foneeleven (two) and Kimberley Boy (two) last season.
Trainer Jason Bridgman added to the record of Te Akau Stables in the Ray Coupland Stakes at Ashburton when King's Rose won the $45,000 listed race for 3yr-olds yesterday.
Bridgman succeeded Mark Walker as trainer for Te Akau at the start of the season on August 1.
The stable operates at Matamata and Rangiora.
Walker won the Coupland Stakes with King's Chapel (2003), Sea Saint (2005) and Princess Coup (2006).
King's Chapel was ridden by Opie Bosson, who rode King's Rose.
King's Chapel carried on to win the New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas.
King's Rose is nominated for the Two Thousand and One Thousand Guineas.
She is a filly by Redoute's Choice from Nureyev's Girl raced by her Hong Kong breeder, Dr Gene Tsoi.
She is the second foal of Nureyev's Girl, who won three minor races and was placed in a listed race in South Australia.
Nureyev's Girl is a sister to European Rose, a listed-race winner in the United States and a half-sister to Roanoke, a listed-race winner in Australia.
They are by Nureyev, who won two of his three starts.
He was disqualified from first in 1980 Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket and retired to stud after a virus ruled him out of the Derby.
Bridgman also has Encosta Diablo and Icepin entered for the $1 million Two Thousand Guineas on November 6.
Encosta Diablo ran fourth as favourite yesterday after racing wide.
Ice Pin, who finished second to Jimmy Choux in the Hawke's Bay Guineas, is booked to travel from Matamata to Rangiora on Thursday.
It is planned to start him in the Canterbury Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Sunday.
Bridgman has Bankside Belle in major sprints at the New Zealand Cup meeting and Zabene in the New Zealand Cup.
Zabene ran fourth over 2100m yesterday"Zabene went terrific after leading under 59kg.
He will have his final lead-up in the Metropolitan Handicap," Bridgman said.
Bankside Belle ran El Chico to a nose in the Ashburton Cup (1200m) yesterday.
Bridgman has trained the winners of 12 races.
"I am thankful for the team behind me," he said.
He made the trip from Matamata to Ashburton yesterday.
Gus Clutterbuck is in charge of the Rangiora arm of the stable.
• Terry Moseley and Amelia Denby were suspended from next Monday until November 2 inclusive for careless riding at Ashburton yesterday.
Moseley (Tipulater) admitted shifting in and checking Turf Fire at the 1000m.
Ketchiben was crowded. Turf Fire was galloped on.
Denby (Kahlua) defended a charge that she shifted in at the 1100m, causing a check to Rio Bertolini.
Forepins and Time And Moment became unbalanced in the incident.
James McDonald was suspended from next Sunday until October 28 inclusive for careless riding at Rotorua on Saturday.
McDonald, riding Seaflyte, was found to have shifted out in the run home, hampering Caratacus.
The third and fourth placings of Seaflyte and Caratacus were reversed.
San Bernardino was a late scratching from the Rotorua Plate on veterinary advice.
San Bernardino broke away in his preliminary and was found to be lame.
Kane Smith was suspended from next Saturday until the following Thursday inclusive for allowing his mount My Astron to shift out and check Yelracm at the 250m.
