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MARK HITS JACKPOT AS SELLER OF QUALITY BLOODSTOCK

Burnham trainer Mark Jones, widely respected as a genuine seller, became part of a rare group to have sold a New Zealand Cup winner.

Brendon “Benny” Hill has trained a two-time NZ Cup winner in Monkey King, and on Tuesday, his new training partner became part of a rare group to have sold a New Zealand Cup winner.

Mark, a genuine seller from day one, could earn no better respect from industry speculators, than offering up Cruz Bromac and parting with him as a qualified but unraced late three-year-old in July, 2015.

His plan, along with Rangiora trainer Andrew Stuart, was to spec-buy an affordable colt from the Australasian Classic Yearling Sales with a view to turning him over as early as possible for a potential profit.

Cruz Bromac, by Falcon Seelster from an unraced half-sister to formerly NZ’s fastest-bred pacer Attorney General (1:48.4, US, $434,952), filled their requirements.

They bought him for $12,000 from the Bromac Lodge draft, with Mark Jones training him for re-sale, but he had to wait on him to grow into his frame.

“He was a big horse but always had wicked speed,” Mark said.

The two trainers knew they had to turn to selling as the stake money in Canterbury wasn’t good enough to retain horses to win the money they wanted for a horse of his ability.

As a late 3YO, Cruz Bromac was offered by Mark to fellow Canterbury trainer, Terry Chmiel, who drove him to win his first public outing, a 2600m stand-start workout in 3:23.8 (last 800m in 55.6) at Rangiora on July 13, 2015.

He then won easily, but was 0.5 seconds outside qualifying time at Rangiora on July 20, when first driven by Blair Orange at his first official trial.

“Cruz” was also offered to the Robert Dunn stable, but with no fast action taking place, Mark offered him to Victorian trainer Dean Braun, who bought him for his clients on Mark’s word alone, without even driving him.

The word was out to a select few before he stepped out publicly.

Mark put his reputation on the line, stating then and there he was of the best horses he’d trained.

The Braun deal was completed after Mark advised Dean “Cruz” had “great potential.”

This was just days before Cruz Bromac qualified at Timaru on July 25, having to travel two hours south of Christchurch to find the next winter qualifying trial.

He finished second for Kimberly Butt (who worked for Mark at the time) in a 2:00.6 mile rate (2000m), the leaders last 800m in 56.8s.

“Dean had only ever bought one other off me, Itz Nosurprisesthere, and she won three Group Ones (2013 NSW, Queensland & Tasmsanian Oaks), so we had a good relationship,.” Mark said.

He was flown to Sydney two days later, making an immediate impact with a luckless fourth first-up in a 1:54 mile at Menangle on August 1, 2015.

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

Within a month coming out of the NZ winter, his potential was highlighted at Menangle on Saturday, August 22, 2015, leading and clearing out by 18.8 metres for Luke McCarthy to win in 1:51.6 (1609m) in a $A20,400 3YO pace (Australian 3YO season ending on August 31).

It was a remarkable transformation after leaving a cold NZ winter and pacing a sub 1:52 mile within a month in Australia.

Rested, he returned in November as a 4YO, winning four of his next six starts in Victoria (twice winning in the hands of Nathan Purdon),

Cruz Bromac then stepped up to Group racing for the first time, running second to subsequent NZ-trained Miracle Mile champ, Have Faith In Me, in the $50,000 Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle, won in 1:53.2, then a week later at his 12th start “Cruz” ran sixth to the same horse in the Group One $200,000 Chariots Of Fire, the winner clocking 1:48.8.

At five, “Cruz” won six and was twice second in nine starts, winning the Cobram and Hamilton country cups, but finishing eighth in Lazarus’s $400,000 Victoria Cup.

Havng a year off, he returned at six to win the Warragul Cup and gained his first breakthrough Group One win in the 2018 $100,000 Len Smith Mile at Menangle in 1:50.1, beating record-breaking Miracle Mile champ that season in My Field Marshal.

Cruz Bromac underwent an ownership restructure last year, being syndicated by major Braun client, Danny Zvaitsanos, to race with wife Joanna, NSW-based Peter and Zilla O’Shea, and Tasmania’s Warren Viney, and was sent to NZ Allstars trainers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, for last year’s NZ Cup.

He won the Methven Cup first-up, finished a luckless fourth in Thefixer’s 2018 NZ Cup, won the Group One $184,000 NZ Free-For-All, went unbeaten in three Inter Dominion Heat wins, before a third in Tiger Tara’s Inter Dominion Grand Final.

After Braun decided not to renew his licence this term, preferring a more relaxed support role in the stable, expatriate NZ horsewoman Amanda Grieve became Zvaitsanos’s official Victorian trainer.

Grieve previously worked for Braun, taking over the running of the Braun stable for a time five years ago and recording a Group One win with NZ-bred Im Corzin Terror in the 2014 Ballarat Cup.

She returned to NZ in 2016, working as a foreperson at Cran Dalgety’s Kentuckiana Lodge for three years, before returning to Geelong again in February be close to her parents living there, and to rejoin the Braun team.

Cruz” won the 2019 NZ Cup on the Grieve/Braun Victoria preparation, which included a top third second-up in a record run Victoria Cup last month.

Zvanitsanos returned “Cruz” to the Allstars stables two weeks before this year’s Cup.

The seasoned Grand Circuit performer improved on a game second (parled) to Classie Brigade in the Kaikoura Cup lead-up on November 4 to win the $750,000 Christchurch Casino NZ Trotting Cup on November 12.

The stars aligned perfectly for Cruz Bromac and top NZ driver, Blair Orange, who had driven “Cruz” in his first trial for Mark Jones, but hadn’t had a steer behind him again until his final fast work before the cup.

Blair Orange, having his 11th NZ Cup drive, stepped him fast from wide out, working to head Classie Brigade at the 2500m.

He then eased tor trail three back after more fancied stablemates, Thefixer, then favourite Spankem, had turns taking over by the 1700m.

When San Carlo (parked) dropped off at the 300m, Blair had “Cruz” out and nursed him round the final turn.

They unwound best to win by a neck over Spankem (Mark Purdon), the luckless Classie Brigade (John Dunn) and Chase Auckland, in 3:56.9 (3200m), the leaders last 800m in 57.5s

This was the much deserved crowning glory in Cruz Bromac’s illustious career, becoming the latest NZ-bred $1 millionaire pacer by banking the $389,710 winning prize

Now a winner of 22 of 46 starts, “Cruz” defends his NZ Free-For-All title on Show day, then heads to Auckland for the Inter Dominions, from November 29 to December 14.

NZ Cup winner Cruz Bromac will forever be Mark’s top advert as a seller.

But add in the likes of Texas Terror (1:50.2, US, 34 wins & $485,000), sold out of his stable after one 2YO start, Rocker Band (1:51.8, $360,354), Glenferrie) Alexis (1:55.9, 19 wins & $288,323), Ohoka Texas (1:50.2, $340,774), Itz Bettor To Win (1:54.3, $212,912), Courage Tells (1:54.1, $393,556), Itz Nosurprisesthere (1:58, $216,900), My Man Dan (1;54.2, $284,032), Glenferrie Alexis (1:55.9, 19 wins & $288,323); Jackaroo Bromac (1:52.4, $242,555), My Jellignite (1:52, $249,539), and Lethal Rocket (1:55.5, $236,417), plus many more, and the pattern is clear.

It would be hard to find a more regular provider of quality bloodstock to Australia than Mark Jones.

After success for Elite Racing at Ashburton today, well-bred filly Fancy will head south next week with a couple of mates to tick off a run in Southland as Benny and Mark chase the Southland Oaks.

“I don’t think it’s worth chasing Amazing Dream up north,” said Benny Hill after her Ashburton win.

“So she can tag along with Silent Major and Burnham Boy who will head down for the $15,000 Nugget Final next Friday,” he said.

The Bettors’ Delight daughter of Regret (by In the Pocket) is a sister to handy pacers Bedtime, Mundaka, Natural, Excellent, and Ragnarr.

Birchbrook Breeding Ltd, namely David and Catherine Butt, along with Steve Hooper, have had great success out of the family through the deeds of second-dam Going Royce, a filly and mare they raced, leaving a bunch of winners.

Regret, a five-time winner, is a full-sister to former top-class Grand Circuit pacer Tribute who won $402,000 and 16 races for Peter and Joan Cocks out of the Tim Butt stable.

A raft of winners came from Going Royce, Never Going Holme, Pentium, Coolmore, Birchbrook, Midnite, Corbell, Hoon Hay, Victory, and Pushkin, all winners but not matching the success Tribute had.

Corbell has gone on to leave quality pacer Micky Gee (1:52 USA) and Anytime, currently three wins.

“She (Fancy) can head down just for a grade race and we’re a step closer to ticking that box for the Southland Oaks, hopefully,” said Benny.

“I’ll head down with the three. Silent Major came through his win (at Wyndham last Sunday) nicely, and Ricky (May) likes the feel of Burnham Boy (who ran well Cup day from a bad draw).

“Fancy’s owners (Kevin, Tony, and Ray Hickman, and Snow Reardon) are happy with that and the Southland Oaks I think is the better path for her.”

Sioux Princess was also successful for the Elite Racing stable at Ashburton, the enigmatic mare again slowly away from the standing start but she proved too powerful with a good turn of speed to reel them in and win, her third from 26 starts.

If you ask Benny Hill or Mark Jones what level they want to be at, the answer is not only obvious, but made rather clear.

Benny has tasted success in the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup before, winning twice with Monkey King, the king of Addington.

Add a second with Baileys Dream, a fourth with Power Of Tara (behind Monkey King) and Benny knows the kick you get being a headline act in the country’s greatest race.

He has Skippys Delight in the $170,000 Sires Stakes Final tomorrow (Tuesday), but as a 101/1 outsider he’s realistic.

Just a couple of weeks into the new partnership with Mark, dreams of victory in that race are there, but for both men the plan for greater success much further ahead is where they look to.

“It’s been a few years now (since Monkey King’s 2009-2010 Cup-winning double),” said Benny.

“So yeah, it is a bit different not having that. You go there excited still, to do the best for your owners. But you feel like you’re a big part of Cup week with a Cup horse, a chance to win it.

“I’ve had all that. Power Of Tara and Baileys Dream, and Carabella did what she did. Bailey ran second one year to Changeover.”

How to get back there is the key, and in going into partnership with Mark and the new brand, Elite Racing, their joint focus is on bettering the stock they have and working towards common goals of having good horses in the best races.

“Some ask why Mark and I are doing what we’re doing. Frankly, that’s our business. We know what we are doing and trying to achieve.

“It starts again at sale time, picking out our babies and developing the young stock.

“Unless someone rolls in the gate with a ready-made horse to run in these races we know we have to develop them. We’re conscious of that, and this partnership could, as we’ve discussed, allow us to hold onto those horses we can turn into future Cup horses, rather than selling them when the money comes.

“We want the Master Lavros and the Monkey King – this (partnership) gives us our best chance to be back there. And we will.”

STU’S CUP DAY SELECTIONS

RACE 1 (5-10-8-12) Great bet to start the day. GLOBE TREKKER will have to step and think he will from perfect start point for him. Better than them if he puts best foot forward. $9.50 & $3.10 is a very genuine eachway bet. IDLE MOOSE looks favoured at 3200m, a good stayer and in the right form to win this. Must in every bet. MATUA TANA not reliable, but brilliant when caught in the mood. Win or bust type but too smart to leave out. The very genuine OVERZEALOUS will give 110% as always, she will be right in the thick of it again.

SUGGESTED BET: GLOBE TREKKER Eachway / Boxed Quinella-Trifecta – 1,5,8,10,12,16

RACE 2 (3-15-6-9) DENY EVERYTHING was going extra well at the trials last Wednesday, never asked to extend and would have won if asked. Really good maiden this with a great draw. $7.00 looks good money. Outstanding winning that trial was JAWBREAKER, swept from last late to win in a big performance. Smart horse, the draw the issue but he’s ready to fire. SUGAR LOAF is going very well at trials, outside leader and big here last Wednesday. Debuts in strong race but sure to go a big one. POWER OF PRAYER an obvious include from All Stars, another who has the talent to match any maiden. Wide gate means extra work to be done. Long odds chance TASMAN TEMPEST, caught out in sprint home at Kaikoura, earlier trial exceptional.

SUGGESTED BET: DENY EVERYTHING Eachway / Boxed Trifecta – 3,6,9,11,15

RACE 3 (3-10-7-2) My least favoured race of the day. Hard to get a good line on this. BONNIE HIGHLANDER trialled well and does fly fresh up so she’s the one I’d be on, win only. If the good odds are the way to go then THE DOMINATOR has all the ability just has to step away well something he didn’t do at Ashburton last start. Not fussed here, have some lunch.

SUGGESTED BET: BONNIE HIGHLANDER or THE DOMINATOR Win

RACE 4 (6-5-3-1) I thought TRIPLE EIGHT was outstanding in the Kaikoura Cup, his run clearly best in the race and for sheer speed in a small field should be too quick for these. With two from All Stars in here they won’t make it so easy tactically. On his best form ULTIMATE SNIPER is the one to beat.

SUGGESTED BET: TRIPLE EIGHT Win

RACE 5 (12-7-4-10) NEMERA FRANCO looks near unbeatable based on her form, but also amazing Cup trial victory here last Wednesday, swooping right down the outside from last with a huge sprint. Quality mare and the $2.30 looks about her price in this line-up.  The bookies have got DOUBLE O HEAVEN $34.00 & $6.00 and without doubt the best eachway bet at good odds all day. Big return swept up late third when fresh. Only better for the run and she’s quicker than most off the right run. Super bet, at least to place. BETTER FLY and GHOSTWRITER players off the good draws, but are good draws bad draws here? They’ll possibly go very hard early. WILD EXCUSE is flying, cannot be overlooked.

SUGGESTED BET: DOUBLE O HEAVEN Eachway / Boxed Trifecta – 1,4,6,7,10,12

RACE 6 (5-13-15-4) TOUGH MONARCH and MCLOVIN arrive from Australia in better form than anything here and they’ll dominate the race. And the good reason for that is our two best ones here, WINTERFELL and SUNDEES SON are barely trotting good enough to win a maiden right now. The former very poor in his gait at the trials, the latter galloping his way around in his Cup trial outing too in a continuation of a major fall from his best form. That pair to be honest would need to find a miracle. Back to the Aussies, TOUGH MONARCH short at $2.40 but deserves to be, MCLOVIN very good value eachway at $7.50 & $2.25.

SUGGESTED BET: TOUGH MONARCH Win / MCLOVIN Eachway / Trifecta – 5,13/5,13/Field & 5,13/Field/5,13

RACE 7 (13-14-11-1) Going wide of the obvious. And why, because this opening 400m to 800m could be extremely fierce, setting it up for others in behind. Taken with BAD TO THE BONE on race night, then super good in trial here last Wednesday, matched by COPY THAT who pushed them over the line in his trial, race form great in the north and arrives in fine fettle, You get a good play at $31.00 and $5.00 for both horses. ITALIAN LAD I rate the best of the All Stars, quality this horse, very quick and top driver on will find the right run. Gate two the back row following stablemate and favourite ONE CHANGE through is ideal. ABOVE N BEYOND ideally drawn, can win the race, just depends how hard they go that first half-mile.

SUGGESTED BET: BAD TO THE BONE & COPY THAT Eachway (value) / Boxed Trifecta – 1,2,3,11,13,14

RACE 8 (9-6-8-1) AMAZING DREAM looks home the way she trialled here Wednesday, a real eye-catcher from her proving she’s bang on target for the day. If there is just one small issue it’s the fact she has bigger fish to fry this season as a 3yo filly, so being driven around the world in eighty days to win this from barrier nine has to be in the back of punters minds taking short odds. HEISENBERG would appear the obvious winner if she is beaten, very good off right run at Kaikoura. His stablemate JAY TEE TYRON was impressive there too, and at least his place price of $4.40 looks attractive. BETTATHANFAST went great at Forbury last start and gate one will have him in the right spot.

SUGGESTED BET: HEISENBERG Win / JAY TEE TYRON Place

RACE 9 (7-8-2-9) Good betting race. If we can get BELMONT MAJOR beaten as favourite there’s some good value to be had. HOWARD HUGHES beautifully primed off nice quiet trial here last week, coasting at the finish. Really smart horse this and he can remain unbeaten at what looks like a very good price of $7.00. The big overs is BURNHAM BOY, second-to-last in Wednesday’s trial but going easily too. Two big runs to date and though needing luck from the draw a player here at big odds. Stablemate WILLISON not awful at $21.00 either. GLIDING AWAY a talented horse back fresh, maybe a run short of where he needs to be but respect him on quality. $21.00 also overs there.

SUGGESTED BET: HOWARD HUGHES Win / BURNHAM BOY Place / Boxed Quinella – Trifecta – 2,7,8,9,10

RACE 10 (6-7-12-4) Looks a battle between SPANKEM and THEFIXER, last year’s winner. Both forward to go, the latter short on racing and that’s the small query with him. They do stand out. MACH SHARD terrific in the Cup trial, a bad draw to overcome but at $41.00 I’ve seen a lot worse than him. OUR UNCLE SAM the bolter. Better stayer than most, stepping away the crucial aspect. If he does he makes this very interesting. SAN CARLO arrives in impeccable Australian form, we know he’s a terrific stayer, would have liked any other draw than one. But, if he steps cleanly from there he could well have them in trouble very early. $11.00 a good price for him.

SUGGESTED BET: MACH SHARD Eachway / Boxed Quinella – Trifecta – 1,4,6,7,8,12

RACE 11 (5-2-13-17) B D YASOTHON should win this if he trots like he did at the trials, an exceptional run. Big day, and he’s inexperienced, pay to factor that bit in. This race often throws out a genuine upset result. NEVER MIND did work and fought well Ashburton, will trot out and get going, a big advantage here.  off a much better run at Kaikoura the big odds value is ALVIRA HEST with Ricky May to drive. She peaked on her run late there but showed signs of her better form. $41.00 & $7.00 the odds good for her. REBEL KIBBYBONES and DESPERATEANDDANGEROUS have jobs to do from back on the unruly but both very strong winning last start and well in form.

SUGGESTED BET: ALVIRA HEST Eachway (odds) Trifecta – 5/2,13,17,18/Field & 5/Field/2,13,17,18

RACE 12 (1,3,10,7) Picking this is a lead-trail with JIMMY CANNON crossing to lead and TAXMAN trailing. They’ll run along a bit and the favourite should get every show up the lane. DAN FERNANDO was adequate in trial here last week but may step up here, has done raceday of course before. TANGO TARA going well, fit for two excellent runs back and a deserved second favourite in the race. JIMMY CANNON the bolters odds chance at $51.00.

SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta – 1,3,10/1,3,10/Field & 1,3,10/Field/1,3,10

BEST BET: HOWARD HUGHES

ODDS: DOUBLE O HEAVEN, BAD TO THE BONE/COPY THAT, BURNHAM BOY, MACH SHARD, ALVIRA HEST, JIMMY CANNON

VALUE: GLOBE TREKKER, DENY EVEYTHING, MCLOVIN

WHITTAKER ADDS TO USA RECORD

Former smart Mark Jones-trained pacer Whittaker notched his fifth USA win of the year with a 1:52.1 (ftfth) win at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Sunday afternoon (NZ time).

Whittaker (6h Sportswriter-Anarchy, by Holmes Hanover-Honey Trap, by OK Bye-Precious Dina) was eased to fouth early from the ace barrier by top USA driver Tim Tetrick, but was out and running to the top at the three-quarters mark.

He held in the home stretch by a length and three quarters to take out the $9000 pace for non-winners of $3500 in their last five starts.

Whittaker, who lowered his lifetime best to 1:50 even at the Meadowlands earlier this year, has added over $US58,000 to his lifetime earnings in 2019.

Racing these days for the Paul Blumenfield stable, Whittaker was recording his 15th career win from 60 starts, taking his international earnings to just over $167,000.

He initially won four of only 12 NZ starts, then added a further six wins on Australian soil for former Queensland owner Greg Brodie, including success in the Group Three 2108 Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle.

The following week he ran fourth to Jilliby Kung Fu, Let It Ride and Atomic Red, in the Group One $200,000 Chariots Of Fire, won in 1:48.8.

Whittaker’s final Menangle win was his fastest Australian win, pacing 1:52.9 in June, 2018.

Mark Jones doesn’t drive a whole lot these days – but as they say it’s just like riding a bike.

So the call-up to drive Our Uncle Sam in next Tuesday’s $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington won’t be a problem for the former World Driving Champion (2003) despite being the veteran of just three race drives this season.

Trainer Chris Frisby is staying with Mark on his trip across the Tasman with the gun New South Wales pacer.

And though things haven’t gone right so far after two unsuccessful runs at Ashburton and Kaikoura, the white flag is definitely not going up.

“Not what we wanted at Kaikoura, but we are here and we’re keen to run on Tuesday,” said Frisby on Wednesday.

Our Uncle Sam broke from the standing start and lost all chance at Kaikoura, though he was on the backward step when the barriers went and that’s something both he and Jones can rectify in the days since and ahead of Tuesday.

“I drove Mighty Flying Mac for Cran (Dalgety) three years ago, that was my last drive in the Cup,” said Mark.

“And I should have won it for Cran (1999) with All Our Fella. He jumped away and the favourites galloped and it ended up being a false start – he’d have won that. He still ran fifth (in the second attempt).”

Jones has driven in 11,909 races in New Zealand, winning 1442, second in 1209, and third in 1064 for just shy of $13 million in stakes.

He began his career on November 6, 1996 as a junior driver when his first drive, Lord Phantom, won at Marlborough. His father Peter trained the horse.

Amazingly, that is exactly 23-years ago today!

Chris Frisby could be onto something….

Skippy goes into Sires Final with a runners chance from poor draw

Barrier 14 and a whole host of quality horses in front of him makes winning next Tuesday’s $170,000 McMillan Equine Feeds Sires Stakes Final at Addington a monumental task for smart three-year-old Skippys Delight.

But you can’t win if you’re not in, and after a very slick final 400m at today’s (Wednesday) Cup trials at Addington, at least there is a glimmer of hope.

“It’s tough. They’re all good horses in there,” said Benny afterward.

“You never know – he’s done a nice job to be in there.”

Ricky May was very pleased with the feel he got but is another realistic about their chances on Tuesday coming from outside the second row.

“I was pleased with Fancy (she led then trailed and fought solidly up the lane). Ashburton may well be where we head with her (next Thursday),” added Benny.

The Elite Racing partnership will have six runners in on Cup day and perhaps the best of them is Deny Everything in the $25,000 Hyrdoflow Cup Day Maiden.

Off the back of two very good efforts on race night, the A Rocknroll Dance – Lecerne Lil four-year-old backed those with a splendid trial today, driver Sam Ottley happy to leave the handbrake on all the way home and the powerful giant was travelling very easily running fifth of eight.

Back to form last time, speedy mare Double O Heaven (7) is another to follow on Tuesday in the $25,000 RNP Homes Mares race (2600m), and is joined in there by last-start winner Smoke N Reactor (13).

Talented pacers Willison (10) and Burnham Boy (8), who both trialled quietly but well today, are solid chances at good odds in the $25,000 Avon City Ford (1980m), though from tricky draws.