Class Colt; Major Bronski is chasing the ultimate 3yo prize, the Gr.1 $200,000 Alabar Victoria Derby Photo by Corey Pearce
The black and red silks of Stuart Hunter should be vivid for many Victorians.
In fact, they may still haunt many a local.
During the last decade, equine stars that have sported the famous silks include the relentless stayer Flashing Red plus the dynamic sit-sprinter Sir Galvinator.
Flashing Red, a dual New Zealand Cup hero pounded many a rival into submission with his show no mercy attitude during numerous Victorian campaigns over several seasons whilst Sir Galvinator displayed sheer brilliance during his three year old season which almost netted him a Victoria Derby, missing narrowly behind Emmas Only.
That Derby result has left Hunter with a burning ambition.
It’s a simple case of unfinished business and five years later, Hunter has moulded the perfect horse to claim that elusive Victoria Derby prize.
Hunter will head south today (Tuesday) with his star colt Major Bronski bound for the Gr.1 $200,000 Alabar Victoria Derby series starting on January 29 at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
The royally bred son of Art Major is unbeaten this season after five starts and Hunter is now ready to showcase his star pupil against the best from Australasia.
“This is one very serious colt, he climbed off death’s door midway through his rookie campaign and ended up winning his last three starts in that same season, he had no right to do that and clearly demonstrated his great strength and spirit” Hunter explained.
Major Bronski spent almost two weeks at the Samford Veterinary Clinic after contracting a virus that almost claimed his life.
“It was touch and go there at one point with him but he ended up pulling through and made a remarkable recovery, he was back at the races within five weeks of that illness” Hunter stated.
“He’s always been a very strong and willing colt, he’s still quite a handful now but he has taken no harm from that virus last year and I’m very happy with his progress this season” Hunter added.
Major Bronski is one of three outstanding colts in Queensland bound for the Victoria Derby, the Australasian Breeders Crown runner-up Lanercost is headed south again whilst another Art Major colt in For A Reason is also right on target.
Hunter will be calling on champion Victorian reinsman Chris Alford to take the lines behind his colt with regular driver Luke McCarthy committed to his own runner in For A Reason.
“I’ve been using Luke this season because I want the best driver for his QBred features later this season and his colt is not eligible for those races but I obviously can’t utilise his services in the Derbies” Hunter said.
“When I spoke with Chris, he was pretty keen to partner my guy and I’m sure his style will suit my colt” Hunter added.
Hunter believes the Derby distance will suit his colt ideally.
“The times my colt can run at home compare very favourably to what both Flash and Galvinator could run at their peak so I have concern with the distance, I’m looking forward to it actually” Hunter outlined.
“The other two colts up here are very quick, they have great acceleration but I’m expecting my colt to relish the staying distance” Hunter added.
So, it appears those black and red silks look set to wreak havoc on Victorian feature races yet again.
