FORMER OVERPORT LODGE PACER WINS LEN SMITH MILE
Cruz Bromac, sold to Australian interests prior to qualifying for the Mark Jones stable, captured Gr. 1 glory in the $100,000 Len Smith Mile in 1:50.1 at Menangle on July 1.
Now six, the Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding was a late 3YO when he qualified for the Overport Lodge team at Timaru in July, 2015.
Cruz Bromac, held by trainer Kevin Pizzuto (left) and driver Chris Geary, is joined by other connections after winning the $100,000 Len Smith Mile. (Photo by Ashlea Brennan).
A month later at his third start when still three to Australian time, he took a 1:51.6 mark at Menangle for the Dean Braun stable.
Cruz Bromac won a Casey Classic at Melton, and the Cobram, Hamilton and Warragul Pacing Cups in Victoria, for the Braun stable.
Freshened after running fourth in the Shepparton Cup on April 28, he was transferred to NSW trainer Kevin Pizzuto to target the Len Smith Mile.
Second-up from his new quarters on Sunday, Cruz Bromac showed brilliant gate speed from the six gate and was brilliantly-rated by Chris Geary, who gained the biggest win of his career.
After getting a breather mid-race, Cruz Bromac sprinted his last 400m in 26.5s to win decisively by 4.6 metres in 1:50.1 from trailer, this term’s Miracle Mile champ, My Field Marshal.
His task was helped by the uncharacteristic early blunder by $1.40 favourite Soho Tribeca, who lost all chance by breaking at the dispatch point.
Pizzuto went into the race extremely confident.
“He worked so well when I fast-worked him yesterday morning I actually told the owner he was a moral,” Pizzuto told the media, post-race.
“As a matter of fact we were so confident we probably won more on the punt then the race was worth so it’s been a pretty good result all around.”
Cruz Bromac has now raced only 28 times for 15 wins and five placings, for $252,975 in stakes.