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NSW FLYER CONFIRMS TOP RATING

Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones was keen for new found Sydney star Cruz Bromac (p3, 1:51.6) to join a strong NZ stable but there were no takers.

Mark Jones, always had a big opinion of Cruz Bromac.

“Robert Dunn and Terry Chmiel were advised strongly by me to buy him,” Mark said.

“I couldn’t believe they didn’t want him.”

Mark gave Cruz Bromac a high ranking, saying he was one of the best horses he’d trained, even before he qualified last month.

“They made excuses for not taking him but its their loss and Dean’s gain,” he said.

Australian trainer Dean Braun didn’t even need a drive behind the Falcon Seelster gelding after Mark told him he possessed great potential.

“Dean bought him off my word,” Mark said.

The deal was completed just a few days before Cruz Bromac qualified at Timaru on July 25.

“He’d only ever bought one other off me and she won three Group Ones (Itz Nosurprises) so we’ve got a good relationship and he’s a top trainer.”

A former $12,000 buy from the Bromac Lodge draft at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sales, Cruz Bromac entered the ownership of Mark Jones and fellow Canterbury
trainer Andrew Stuart.

“We’re sellers as the money we race for in Canterbury isn’t good enough,” Mark said.

“He never failed a vet test. I was patient with him as he was a big horse but always had wicked speed.”

Cruz Bromac had exceeded expectations in a whirlwind month.

Terry Chmiel drove him to win a stand start 2600m workout in 3:23.8 (last 800m in 55.6) at Rangiora in his first public outing on July 13.

He then won easily but was 0.5 seconds outside qualifying time at Rangiora on July 20 when driven by Blair Orange, then qualified at Timaru five days later for Kimberly Butt when second to Dreamcoat, rating 2:00.6 (2000m), with the leaders last 800m in 56.8s.

He was flown to Sydney two days later, then ran a luckless fourth first-up in a 1:54 mile at Menangle on August 1.

Cruz Bromac showed his class second-up, scoring in a 1:55.7 rate over 2300m, on August 8.

The Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender gelding highlighted his exciting potential at Menangle on Saturday, August 22, leading up and clearing out by 18.8 metres to score in 1:51.6 (1609m) in a $A20,400 3YO pace.

He ran the opening quarter in 27.6s, backed off a shade through the second in 29.1s, then driver Luke McCarthy put paid to the opposition over the final two quarters in 27.4s and 27.5s.

Cruz Bromac has plenty of good winners in his immediate family.

He’s a brother, or half-brother, to other useful Australian winners in Churchill Bromac (1:57.3, 13 wins & $A67,811) and Coltrane Bromac (1:57.5, eight wins & $A47,358).

His dam Crown Defender (Life Sign-Classic Blue Jeans, by Camluck) is an unraced half-sister to smart Kiwi winner and fast North American winner Attorney General (1:48.4, US).

Crown Defender is also a half-sister to the big Australian winners Crown Bromac (1:54.1, 15 wins & $A139,878), Captain Bromac (1:57.8, 15 wins & $116,523) and Cullen Bromac (1:55.1, 20 wins & $131,616), all being from Classic Blue Jeans.

Another daughter of Classic Blue Jeans in Crown Counsel (TT, 1:58.1) has bred on, leaving the smart winners, Cullens Crown (NZ, Aust & USA winner of 26 races & over $400,000 lifetime, 1:52.1, US), Falcon Crown (five wins) and Attorney Stride (1:57.5, 11 wins & $53,855).

Classic Blue Jeans (Camluck-Oh Please, by Albatross), is a half-sister to big international winner Falcons Blue Jean (1:51.8 US, 28 wins & $442,232).

Mark Jones also secured a now 2YO half-brother to Cruz Bromac, by the Western Ideal horse Vintage Master (1:48.2, US), at this year’s NZ Premier Yearling Sales.

Named Caviar Bromac, he changed hands for $27,000.

By Jeff Scott

EASTBURN MARA LANDS NOSE FORBURY WIN

An inch-perfect drive from Overport Lodge junior driver Kimberly Butt landed Eastburn Mara his second Forbury Park win on Thursday, August 13.

Kimberly, now in her third season of racedriving, reined 20 winners last term.

Eastburn Mara, furthered his consistent record at Forbury on Thursday.

This was her first victory of the new term, with her career tally now reaching 38.

Kimberly found the perfect one-one sit for Eastburn Mara and saved him for a home stretch dash.

Angling wide turning for home, Eastburn Mara lifted when asked inside the final 100m to grab a nose win over front-running favourite Cerato (Blair Orange).

Former stablemate Rock Till You Drop, who trailed, held third at the end of the mobile 2200m in 2:48.5, the leaders running their last 800m in 58s and final 400m in 28.9s.

Eastburn Mara, third-up in a new campaign, has found Forbury a happy hunting ground for trainer Mark Jones, and East Takaka (Nelson) breeder “Skeet” Barnett.

The 5YO Lis Mara-Eastburn Gee gelding has now recorded both his wins at Forbury, while he’s also been twice second there in seven appearances.

Mr Barnett enjoyed halcyon days as owner when formerly racing Eastburn Mara’s relative, former top trotter Eastburn Grant, winner of the 1997 Rowe Cup and 12 other races for $212,995.

Eastburn Mara is from a six-win Badlands Hanover pacing daughter of another six-win pacing mare in Biddy BB (1:59), who left the good winners Handoverbid (six), Straven (five, 1:54.4, US) and Be Artful (three NZ wins, 1:56.5, Aust).

Eastburn Gee’s grand-dam Madam Gee (by Johnny Gee) was the unraced dam of Eastburn Grant and speedy pacing mare Lady Eastburn (1:55.8, US).

REWARDING NORTH WINTER VENTURE FOR OVERPORT LODGE

Although his owners have been the beneficiary of some Addington Met Multiplier bonus rewards over the last 12 months, Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones believes Addington need to do more with basic stake levels.

After a successful winter north campaign, Mark netted just over $77,000 for his owners with eight horses.

Zakspatrol, under offer to Norh American interests.

All, apart from Zakspatrol, have returned to Canterbury to freshen for spring racing.

Zakspatrol is under offer to North American interests and is likely to head Stateside later this month.

“Addington really need to lift their stakes,” Mark concluded after reviewing the results.

“Kowhai Monarch earned $6300 winning a maiden trot the same night Expresso Martini got just over $4k for winning a strong one-win race at Addington,” he said.

“Perissa went a 1:56 mile rate and earned less than a $4k winning stake at Addington.”

Intermediate-grade trotter Sunoflindenny and maiden trotter Landora’s Girl were the only two of his team unable to crack north wins, but the former earned early $9000 in place money in seven starts.

“Zakspatrol was a big winner, earning near $20k when he could have hardly found a suitable race in Canterbury,” he said.

The big Art Major gelding notched his third junior drivers race win on the trip at Cambridge last week, and his second on end in the hands of northern junior Michael Blakemore.

He gets another chance to add to his bankroll in a $13,500 C2-4 pace at Auckland this Friday night.

“Pomme Roy got more for winning in Auckland than the whole stake of a race in Canterbury!,” he said.

Saveapatrol, shown winning the Thames Cup at Alexandra Park (Trish Dunell photo).

The breakdown of his north winter earners was:

Rocker Band (five starts, Cambridge win, $4800).

Zakspatrol (seven starts, three wins, $17,844).

Kowhai Monarch (seven starts, one win, $7586).

Sunoflindenny (seven starts, $8700).

Real Torque (five starts, two wins, $12,272

Pomme Roy (six starts, two wins, $14,903).

Saveapatrol (two starts, Thames Cup win, $10,750).

Landora’s Girl (five maiden starts, $1287).

“It was a very successful trip for my owners and the club were very helpful,” Mark said.

“They put the horses in the right race and the club use the junior concessions well.”

Mark had his northern race team based at Pukekohe through late June until early August.

“A big thanks to Ray Green, and John and Lynne Street, for letting us stable at the first class Lincoln Farms,” he said.

ALABAR SUPER SERIES FOR LOWER GRADE PACERS & TROTTERS

August 12

Following eight successful running’s of the Seasonal Super Series held at Addington, the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (Met) will stage a ninth Alabar Super Series on Friday, October 9, 2015.

As well as some prominent trainers including Robert Dunn, Terry and Glenys Chmiel, Ken Barron, Tim Butt, Jamie Gameson, Nigel McGrath, Brendon McLellan, Cran Dalgety, Robbie Holmes, Brendon Hill, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Nathan Williamson and Phil Williamson cashing in, wins have been achieved by Peter Bagrie, Brian Fahey, Gavin Cook, Craig Edmonds, Alex Hastie, Barry Ford, Don Ross, Noel Taylor and Kevin Townley.

The ninth Series, to be staged also at Addington, will once again cater for lower grade horses with projected stakes totalling greater than $70,000 over three events.

There will be opportunities for:

* C0 pacers at 8 August 2015 – Stake $23,500.

* C1 to C2 pacers at 8 August 2015 – Stake $23,500.

* C0 to C2 trotters at 8 August 2015 – Stake $23,500.

All starters in these races are to receive a minimum stake of $500. There is no enrolment fee payable.

Field selection will be based on a points system.

To qualify to start in these races on October 9, 2015, a horse must have started at least once at a Met meeting between August 21, 2015, and October 2, 2015.

With five Met meetings at Addington during this period there is ample opportunity for owners and trainers to prepare their horses for the series.

It is the intention of the NZMTC that a similar series will take place on February 12, 2016, under like conditions.

Full details and conditions are to follow and can be viewed www.addington.co.nz.

Alternatively, please call Brian, Richard or Colin at Addington’s Racing Department on (03) 338 9094.

Courtesy of Ged Mooar Marketing & Commercial Manager,
Addington

EX-OVERPORT LODGE HORSE CRUZ BROMAC WINS AT MENANGLE

Cruz Bromac (Falcon Seelster-Crown Defender), after qualifying at Timaru late last month for the Mark Jones stable, won second-up at Menangle, New South Wales, on Saturday August 8 in a smart 1:55.7 rate over 2300m.

The Bromac Lodge-bred pacer was snapped up by Australian trainer Dean Braun four days before qualifying at Timaru when the runnerup to raceplaced maiden Dreamcoat in a 2:00.4 rate over the 2000m on July 25.

Cruz Bromac then jetted across the Tasman and was thrust into action first-up at Tabcorp Park Menangle on August 1, running fourth in a 1:54 mile behind fellow ex-Canterbury pacer Matty Groves.

Last Saturday, he beat other fellow Kiwi pacers in Lets Cut Loose and (Oh) Jonny Be Good in the $A20,400 MacArthur Automotive 3YO Pace. Matty Groves ran fourth on this occasion.

In the hands of Luke McCarthy, Cruz Bromac scored by 3.5m, the leaders keeping the pace strong over the last 800m in 55.7s and final 400m in 28.1s.

A former $12,000 buy at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sales, Cruz Bromac is a brother or half-brother to earlier useful Australian winners in Churchill Bromac (1:57.3, 13 wins & $A67,811) and Coltrane Bromac (1:57.5, eight wins & $A47,358).

Cruz Bromac’s dam Crown Defender (Life Sign-Classic Blue Jeans, by Camluck-Oh Please) is an unraced half-sister by Life Sign to fast North American winner and now sire Attorney General (1:48.4, US), and also to the big Australian winners Crown Bromac (1:54.1, 15 wins & $A139,878), Captain Bromac (1:57.8, 15 wins & $116,523) and Cullen Bromac (1:55.1), 20 wins & $131,616).

Classic Blue Jeans, the grand-dam of Cruz Bromac, is a half-sister to big international winner Falcons Blue Jean (1:51.8 US, 28 wins & $442,232).

Like Cruz Bromac, Falcons Blue Jean is by Falcon Seelster, who died in 2011 but has continued to breed on through the process of frozen semen straws retained by Bromac Lodge proprietor, Bob McArdle.

Falcons Blue Jean won his first six and $171,986 in New Zealand, including the 1999 $155,665 PGG NZ Yearling Sales 3YO Open Pace (beating Stars And Stripes) when racing for Mark Purdon.

He latterly advanced his score for Mark Purdon’s brother-in-law, Ardmore trainer Tony Herlihy, before being sold to race in North America.

SOUTH OF WAITAKI-TRAINED RACE CONTINUES ON SHOW DAY

Last month saw the running of the south of the Waitaki River Series held over three heats at Addington and culminating in a final on July 31.

The series catered for three-year-old and older pacers assessed at C1 at the closing of nominations for heat one, whilst being registered in the name of a trainer(s) based south of the Waitaki River as at April 10.

Held for the first time in July the series was well supported with 32 starters over the heats and final.

The Trevor Proctor-trained Tact Tate took out the $12,000 final and was also a heat winner.

The Brendon “Snow” McLellan-trained Wick was the winner of two heats.

Snow commented: “It gave me the opportunity to race some talented horses in races for good stakes at a quiet time of the year for us and we’ll be back up next year if the series returns.”

The series saw a good level of tote turnovers with strong results showing support on and off the track from punters. The second heat on July 16 recorded $81,000 in total turnover, 25% above the average race figure for that meeting.

It is the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s intention to run the series again in July next year given the positive feedback received and the support from those involved.

The South of the Waitaki River race held for the first time on Show Day during Cup Week last year when won by the Tony Barron trained Phoenix Warrior, will once again take place in 2015.

This year will see a new sponsor with Brent and Sheree McIntyre’s Macca Lodge located in Riversdale, Northern Southland supporting the $20,000 race.

To add further flavour from the south well known southern commentator Dave McDonald will be venturing north to call the race.

Details about the “Macca Lodge South of the Waitaki River” will be posted shortly on www.addington.co.nz

Courtesy of Ged Mooar,

Marketing & Commercial Manager Addington

HARNESS RACING TO REVIEW CLUB STRUCTURE

August 10, 2015

At the Annual Conference of Harness Racing Clubs and Kindred Bodies on Saturday, August 8, Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) presented a proposal based on reviewing the existing club structure.

This would involve a consolidation of the existing 45 clubs into a regional based model of nine “super” clubs.

In presenting this, HRNZ Chairman, Gary Allen, said “current industry structures are not sustainable and change is required. Static industry funding, declining income from gaming and increased general costs have placed considerable additional financial pressure on clubs.

Action is required to strengthen the industry’s position and viability long term.”

This followed a presentation that was given at the Conference summarizing an independent review of clubs’ financial statements over the last six years.

This highlighted an increased number of clubs with a higher risk profile and a declining overall industry financial position.

Under the model which HRNZ presented as a starting point for industry discussion, the restructured
“super” clubs will assume greater responsibility for racing within their respective regions.

The aim is for a more compact, stronger and efficient club structure that will enhance the viability of harness racing for its participant base.

At the Conference, consensus was that the model presented had merit and would be the subject of
extensive industry consultation over the next six months.

Clubs will consider the merits of this and how it could be structured within their respective regions.

HRNZ’s governance structure will be reviewed in conjunction with this.

Gary Allen said: “it was very encouraging to get the positive and constructive response to the proposal presented on Saturday. HRNZ looks forward to consulting further with clubs and introducing an industry structure which will better secure the code’s long term future.”

“Doing nothing is not an option and positive action over the next year is essential”.

Details of the financial presentation and HRNZ’s vision paper are outlined on www.hrnz.co.nz.

Edward Rennell,
Chief Executive