Son of Auckland Reactor prepares for major target

The classy five-year-old was given an eight-week break following his seventh placing in February’s Terang Pacing Cup and has been in training now for about a month.

Braun said all was tracking nicely with the son of Auckland Reactor, who won the Hobart and Maryborough cups during 2021.

He’s expected to return to the track here in Victoria during July, with Braun eyeing off the 2022 A.G. Hunter Cup as one of his main goals later in the season.

Willie Go West competed in the race last year, but could only manage 10th behind winner King of Swing.

“I’m really happy with him,” Braun said.

“He’s strengthened right up and really matured.

“The bout of colic he got before the Breeders Crown Free For All when he was scratched really knocked him about. I know he won the Hobart Cup in record time, but he wasn’t the same horse.”

Braun has long had a big opinion of Willie Go West and earlier this year spoke about how good he could be.

“I think Cruz Bromac is the best horse I’ve trained still today. We’ve been lucky enough to have some pretty nice horses. Even horses like Im Corzin Terror, he made half a million dollars, and some good mares Nike Franco and Shartin of course,” Braun said in February.

“I think this horse has got the potential to be right there with them. He’s definitely got the big engine, his gait may let him down a little bit, but every time he steps out he’s definitely pacing better.”

Speaking of Cruz Bromac, that horse is now based with Jason Grimson in New South Wales and is nearing his return from a break.

The past New Zealand Trotting Cup champion appeared as though he’d run his last race in late 2020, but made a surprise comeback for Braun with two starts at the beginning of this year. He then moved interstate to join Grimson and won two of his three outings at Menangle before heading for a spell.

The 10-year-old has recently been to the trials and owner Danny Zavitsanos said a trip to Queensland for the winter carnival was on the cards.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV