There is no rest for the Aussies at Addington.
Just three days after dominating NZ’s biggest raceday of any code, the Aussie raiders will chase more Group 1 glory at Addington Raceway in Christchurch tomorrow.
Aussie trained and/or owned horses won the $750,000 Group 1 NZ Cup and $100,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all on Tuesday.
Four of Australia’s best pacers and trotters, including the two heroes of Tuesday in Cruz Bromac and Tough Monarch, will again take on NZ’s finest in the $300,000 Dominion Trot and $200,000 NZ Pacing free-for-all.
Cruz Bromac, a $14 outsider winning the NZ Cup, is a firming $2.60 TAB second favourite behind stablemate Spankem, who he beat on Tuesday, in the Pacing free-for-all. Cruz Bromac has gate six, with Spankem outside him in seven.
“It’s good to draw inside Spankem, that’s for sure,” Cruz Bromac’s Geelong-based managing-owner Danny Zavitsanos said. “I’m told he’s come through Tuesday well.”
Cruz Bromac ran fourth in last year’s NZ Cup before smashing the clock to win the free-for-all three days later.
The other Aussie in the free-for-all is last year’s Inter Dominion runner-up Our Uncle Sam ($81 into $41 with TAB), who will appreciate returning to mobile racing from gate three after bungling the standing-start again in Tuesday’s NZ Cup.
Star Aussie trotters Tough Monarch and McLovin ran the quinella in Tuesday’s trotting free-for-all, but tomorrow is harder with the addition of NZ’s two best trotters, Oscar Bonavena and Marcoola, to their rivals in the Dominion, a 3200m standing-start.
“It’s great to get the win, his first Group 1 on Tuesday, and he’s come through it well. We always knew this one would be harder, but he’s drawn well and hopefully he steps well and puts himself right in it,” trainer Rickie Alchin said.
Tough Monarch has barrier six, but will start from four if the two emergencies don’t gain a start.
McLovin has thrived since his fast-finishing second to Tough Monarch on Tuesday and will start from outside the front (barrier eight) if the emergencies don’t make the cut.
Such is the hype on the locals, Oscar Bonavena is a firming $2.15 into $2 TAB favourite from Marcoola ($2.80 into $2.70). Tough Monarch ($6.50) and McLovin ($6.50 out to $7).
The whole card from Addington tomorrow will be showcased and uninterrupted on Sky Racing’s Active app on the “Plus” channel from 9am-5pm.
