Tatijana Bromac justified her favouritism with a super semi-final win
Cracking Christchurch 3YO Tatijana Bromac looks set to continue a stellar season for Kiwi classic fillies after claiming ABC semi-final success in dominant style tonight.
Following in the footsteps of ill-fated Victoria Oaks-winning filly Bettor Cover Lover and NZ Horse of the Year Carabella, the versatile daughter of Rocknroll Hanover simply schooled her rivals in the second of two Breeders Crown qualifiers for the three-year-old girls.
And significantly improved a night marred by the poor performance of Mr Nickel for her heralded mentor, Mark Purdon.
“When she first came across we had some trouble with her tying up but since then she’s thrived and I’m very happy with where she is now,” New Zealand’s most decorated conditioner said.
“She’s got to have a massive chance in the final. We haven’t really drawn well at any stage of the series so far, so hopefully she can draw to lead on Sunday and be very hard to toss.”
Pratted deep from her second row draw (10) through a lead time of 45.2, Tatijana Bromac soon found the front before carving out slick sections of 30.3, 30.2, 29.4 and 28.9 to go home a 3.1-metre winner in 1:57.8.
Artistic Rainbow descended from the clouds to run second to the flying Kiwi filly and may prove her biggest obstacle on Super Sunday, while Vicbred queen Bellas Delight battled on bravely for third and can also feature in her $181,000 final on Super Sunday at Tabcorp Park.
In the first preliminary for classic girls, Rainbow Dasher continued a red-letter night for NSW-trained pacers when cruising home in pillar to post fashion to claim her semi final by almost nine metres.
Displaying electric speed off the arm, Anthony Bucca’s 3YO daughter of Art Major led soon after the start and utilised the early breather she got through a 46.9-second lead time to set up sizzling sectional splits of 30.8, 30.7, 29.7 and 26.9 thereafter.
Incredibly, that blistering final fraction was the quickest of the night and left established stars including Aussie Made Lombo (fourth) lamenting in the lane.
After the win, affable Bringelly mentor Bucca was left hoping Sunday’s all-important barrier draw might pave the way for his star filly’s crowning success in nine days time.
“We’ll be looking forward to this week now and fingers crossed we get the draw we need,” he said. “She’s just done so well and she’s used to the travel so we’re just looking forward to what lays ahead.”
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