Two-Year-Old of the Year nominee Trobriand will begin his three-year-old season this Saturday at Ruakaka when the starry colt contests the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

One of last season’s most promising juveniles, Trobriand produced a decisive victory in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at his third career start before stakes placings in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) to reach more than $225,000 in stakes.

“We’re really happy with how he’s come back for his three-year-old season, obviously he was a very talented two-year-old and since he’s been back in the stable he’s pleased us,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker.

The son of Kermedec returned to the trials at Te Rapa on the August 1, his tidy performance pleasing Bergerson when splitting classy Group One winning duo Legarto and Pier over 900m.

“He had an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa last Saturday just to top him off nicely for this weekend and he galloped again on the course proper here at Matamata (on Wednesday), so we’re really happy with him going into Saturday.”

Bergerson admitted although it may not be a vintage field on Saturday with just eight acceptors, the likes of Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s unbeaten gelding Crocetti pose a strong test for the Te Akau charge.

“Crocetti couldn’t have been more impressive in his two starts and I know Marshy (Stephen Marsh, trainer of Moet Down) quite likes his filly as well, so even though it’s a bit light on numbers, it should be an interesting race,” he said.

Following Trobriand’s performance on Saturday, Bergerson and Walker will decipher his spring plan, which would ideally not include crossing paths with their sensational Karaka Million 2YO (1200m)-winning three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon.

“We’re really tossing up between what to do, we’re hoping to keep him and Tokyo Tycoon split up,” he said.

“Hawke’s Bay looks like a nice option for him, but there may be the potential to head south early similar to what we did with Noverre, so he can settle in and go through those races towards the 2000 Guineas.

“It’s all pretty dependent on how he goes on Saturday.”

Closer to their Matamata base, the Te Akau stable will be represented by Bak Da Master at Rotorua on Sunday when he contests the Greenlight Insurance Brokers Limited & Rotorua Bay of Plenty Hunt Cup (3500m).

Now a seasoned jumping campaigner, the Mastercraftsman nine-year-old has recorded four wins and a further six minor placings over the fences, most recently a tough third at Te Rapa behind an in-form Raucous.

“It’s another field that’s a bit light on numbers, he’s trained on really well from Te Rapa and seems to be in really good form at home, he should be a nice chance on Sunday,” Bergerson said.

Bak Da Master’s familiar low head carriage may be seen in upcoming prestige jumping events such as the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) held on Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate Day on August 26, dependent on his performance at Rotorua.

“He may potentially, but a lot is dependent on Sunday and how he gets through that, but we’ll reassess after and make a plan going forward."