NZ Trotting Cup: Cruz Bromac flies late to complete amazing day for Aussies at Addington

The NZ Cup win of Aussie-owned Cruz Bromac on top of the first Australian quinella in an Addington Group 1 race for 32 years has left little doubt we can mix it with the best across the ditch.

Tough Monarch (right) and McLovin make it an Australian quinella in the Group 1 Trotters’ free-for-all. Picture: Harness Racing New Zealand

It was the day the Aussies took over Addington.

Aussie-owned Cruz Bromac, who has done most of his racing in Australia, upstaged a hot field with a booming finish to win the $750,000 Group 1 NZ Cup.

Just a couple of hours earlier, it was an Aussie quinella in the other big one, with Tough Monarch leading throughout to beat a luckless and gallant McLovin.

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Cruz Bromac overhauls race favourite Spankem to claim the Group 1 New Zealand Cup. Picture: Harness Racing New Zealand

They provided the first Aussie quinella in an Addington Group 1 race for a staggering 32 years.

But it was Cruz Bromac’s win which headlined the day and gave the all-conquering All Stars stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen their fifth win in the past six NZ Cups.

A triumphant Geelong-based managing owner Danny Zavitsanos sent to Cruz Bromac across from his Victorian trainer Amanda Grieve to Purdon and Rasmussen to chase his dream just three weeks ago.

What a day for the Aussies. Aussie-owned Cruz Bromac, albeit on loan to @AllStarsRacing_ wins NZ Cup and Aussies Tough Monarch and McLovin quinella is the Gp1 trots. https://t.co/ZzQuQVgusq

— Adam Hamilton (@AdamTABSports) November 12, 2019

“It was Golden Reign’s win way back in 1985 (in the Christchurch Inter Dominion) at this track which got me into this sport and now I’m hearing winning the Cup,” Zavitsanos said before picking up Purdon and throwing him over his shoulder in delight.

“I felt he was unlucky in this race last year, but a year older, a year more mature and we’re back here winning it.”

Geelong-based managing owner Danny Zavitsanos lifts the New Zealand Cup trophy. Picture: Getty Images

Cruz Bromac also gave local hero Blair Orange his first win in the Cup at his 11th attempt.

Cruz Bromac is likely to back-up in Friday’s Group 1 NZ free-for-all before heading to Auckland for the Inter Dominion, starting on November 29.

Blair Orange receives a hug from his son Harrison after his winning drive. Getty Images

The other Aussies in the race, San Carlo and Our Uncle Sam, ruined their chances by galloping from the standing start.

Back to the Trotters’ free-for-all and Tough Monarch just held-off McLovin for the first Aussie Group 1 quinella at Addington since the 1987 Inter Dominion pacing final when Victoria’s My Lightning Blue beat NSW raider Paleface Bubble.

So thrilled for a genuine and champion fella, Geelong’s own Danny Zavitsanos. Look how excited he is to have won the #NZCup19 with Cruz Bromac @AllStarsRacing_ @AddingtonNZ pic.twitter.com/nmehgQq8Lu

— Adam Hamilton (@AdamTABSports) November 12, 2019

All honours to Cruz Bromac who desperately deserved a proper massive G1 success. No doubt in my mind that Murray was not happy at any stage.

— Jason Bonnington (@JasonBonnington) November 12, 2019

Cruz Bromac goes bang for the @AllStarsRacing_ and claims the NZ Cup over Spankem! Superbly driven Blair Orange. "What a thrill" he says. Dug deep and finished like a train. Great result for Vic owner Danny Zavitsanos who says "I'm ecstatic!" He's pumped! #NZCup19

— Cody Winnell (@codywinnell) November 12, 2019

The drama started before the race with former Kiwi and now Sydney-based driver Anthony Butt having flight delays on a making it trackside to Addington just five minutes before Tough Monarch went onto the track. His trainer Rickie Alchin was ready to don the driving silks.

“Getting here was harder than the race,” Butt laughed.

Tough Monarch led, kicked away with a big lead rounding the final bend while McLovin was trying to get clear and wind-up and just held off McLovin in a driving finish.

It was Butt’s seventh win in the race, but the first for Tough Monarch and trainer Rickie Alchin.

Tough Monarch holds out the fast-finishing McLovin at Addington. Picture: Harness Racing New Zealand

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“He so deserved this. And what a way for him to get his first Group 1, over here, on this day, against the Kiwis in front of such a big crowd. It’s all still sinking in,” the 32-year-old Alchin said.

“It’s an incredible thrill for me, but I want to thank the owners. This horse was almost a write-off early. I’ve had him since day one and the owners have had to be so patient. We’ve all be rewarded today.”

Tough Monarch and McLovin now back-up in an even harder task, against NZ’s two best trotters Oscar Bonavena and Marcoola, in Friday’s Group 1 Dominion Trot at Addington.

Originally published as NZ Trotting Cup: Cruz Bromac flies late to complete amazing day for Aussies at Addington