NZ Cup winning 10-year old returns to the track

LEVIATHAN owner Danny Zavitsanos is optimistic about Cruz Bromac’s racetrack return.

The 2019 NZ Cup winner is now a 10-year-old and returns from almost 14 months out with injury at Bendigo on Saturday night.

Trainer Dean Braun gave the nod to a Bendigo return when Cruz Bromac ran some slick closing splits in a Melton standing-start trial last Tuesday.

The pair basically hit the line together in a 2min0.2sec mile rate for 2240m, but finished off in 54.8 and 26sec flat.

Willie Go West has been sent straight to Tasmania for Sunday’s $40,000 Group 3 Hobart Cup.

Cruz Bromac resumes at Bendigo, but Braun opted to bypass the $70,000 Group 2 Bendigo Pacing Cup and go for an easier free-for-all.

“Dean says he’s in a good place, so hopefully he runs well first-up,” Zavitsanos said. “It’s great to have him back.”

Cruz Bromac (Falcon Seelster) has to overcome a bad draw (gate seven), but he’s got miles of class over seven rivals in the $A15,000 race over 2150m.

Champion driver Chris Alford has the drive.

It’s a smart play to aim lower first-up as Braun and Zavitsanos have the option of stepping-up to next week’s Group 2 Shepparton Gold Cup next Saturday or the Group 1 Ballarat Cup on January 22 as guide races to establish if Cruz Bromac is worthy of a tilt at the Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 5.

Cruz Bromac, who last raced in NZ for the All Stars barn when fifth in the 2019 Auckland Cup, returned to Australia afterwards and had four unplaced runs for Braun in late 2020.

His last run was a fourth at Melton on November 14, 2020.

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by Adam Hamilton