By Adam Hamilton
NZ Cup champion Cruz Bromac could launch his campaign to defend the title as soon as next Saturday.
Managing owner Danny Zavitsanos said the veteran would either resume in a 2240m Melton free-for-all on Saturday or wait for the $50,000 Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint (1720m) at the same track a week later.
“This week is a chance. Dean (Braun, trainer) is weighing-up his options,” Zavitsanos said.
Strangely, waiting for the richer Smoken Up Sprint could be an easier option if, as it now seems very likely, next week’s race will bring together Victoria’s two best pacers, Ride High and Lochinvar Art, for the first time.
Cruz Bromac hasn’t raced since finishing fifth to then stablemate Self Assured in the Group 1 Auckland Cup on New Year’s Eve.
Soon after he was sidelined from a planned Sydney raid because of a fetlock injury and eventually made his way back to Braun’s stable.
The nine-year-old (in NZ terms) has won two recent trials, the first at Terang on September 5 and the latest just last Tuesday at Kilmore.
Cruz Bromac was asked to a bit more at Kilmore, beating open-class pacer Star Of Memphis by four metres in a 1min59.3sec mile rate for 2180m and finishing-off in 56.4 and 27.7sec.
Just as he did last year, Cruz Bromac will tackle the Group 1 Victoria Cup on October 10 with a view to then heading back to the All Stars’ barn in Christchurch to prepare for the NZ Cup.
