Bullrush blasts rivals away in NZ debut

Experienced jockey Leith Innes is confident that Bullrush can measure up favourably against the country’s leading short-course performers. He formed a decent opinion of the WS-bred and owned son of O’Reilly when guiding him to a successful home-coming this afternoon.

The closing day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival marked the gelding’s first appearance from Moira and Kieran Murdoch’s stable. It proved to be a perfect debut with the six-year-old leading all the way to account for his Rating 85 rivals. “He’s going to improve a fair bit, he’s a lovely big horse and he should be up to the good New Zealand sprinters,” Innes said.

Bullrush was unbeaten in his first five starts from the Sydney stable of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes before his form dipped, which prompted a change of environment. “He won them in a row and then just seemed to switch off,” WS principal Mark Chittick said. “We know he’s got the ability so we decided to bring him home. We’ve had a lot of fun with the horse. We’ve got a lot of the staff involved and they race him with us.”

Bullrush is a half-brother to the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes winner Sports Illustrated, their dam the Pins mare Pin Up. She is also a half-sister to the WS-bred Australasian and international Group One winner Starcraft.