By Adam Hamilton
Almost three years after Cruz Bromac won the NZ Cup he is still on the feature race trail.
The now 10-year-old is on trial for a Queensland raid when he resumes in the JD Watts Memorial at Menangle on Saturday night.
Trainer Jason Grimson is delighted with his progress.
Injuries have restricted Cruz Bromac to just 15 starts since that NZ Cup win on November 12, 2019 when part of the All Stars barn.
Managing owner Danny Zavitsanos’ decision to switch Cruz Bromac to Grimson’s Menangle stables looks an inspired move.
He won his first two starts for Grimson back in February before finishing sixth in a Miracle Mile qualifier then going for a break.
“I couldn’t be happier with him. He needed the break and has come back a lot better than he was before the Miracle Mile,” Grimson said.
“I’d rate him on par with Majestic Cruiser on his work at home.
“If he runs as well as we expect this week, he’ll head to Queensland. I’m taking a team of eight or 10 up there.”
Cruz Bromac has raced 61 times for 25 wins, 14 placings and banked $1,074,457.
He has been backed from $2.90 into $2.50 despite having to overcome a wide draw (gate 10) over 1609m on Saturday night.
His key rivals include the classy veteran Alta Orlando (gate nine), Zeuss Bromac (four) and Fouroeight (eight).
Zavitsanos has become one of Grimson’s biggest supporters, also sending him the promising Ideal Dan, who is heading to Queensland to chase a Rising Sun berth.
“He’s one of the best owners I’ve ever had,” Grimson said. “He’s always upbeat and doesn’t put any pressure on … just lets you do what you need to do with the horses.”
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The return of Australia’s best trotter Majestuoso headlines a strong Melton card on Saturday night.
Andy Gath’s star is first-up since winning the Grand Prix in February.
The six-year-old is a $1.70 favourite despite drawing the back row (gate nine) against classy former Kiwi trotter Ultimate Stride (five), who has won his past two starts very impressively for trainer-driver Chris Lang.
Gath is looking at a Queensland trip for two feature trots at Albion Park on July 16 and 23.
In the fifth race at Melton, classy four-year-olds Rock N Roll Doo and Patsbeachstorm are on trial for Queensland trips.
Connections of both are eyeing-off the Group 1 Rising Sun on July 9.
Trainer Matty Craven is also looking to Queensland with the exciting Bettor Isolate, who is chasing his fourth win from as many starts this campaign in the opening race at Melton.