Racing: Howard Bromac reduces stoic trainer to tears

Perennial place-getter Howard Bromac, left, grabs them at the finish of the New Zealand Free-For-All yesterday. Picture / Simon Baker

Kirk Larsen provided one of racing's rarest sights yesterday - an emotional Southland horseman.

The usually stoic trainer-driver returned to the birdcage fighting back tears after Howard Bromac gave him the biggest win of his career in the $100,000 New Zealand Pacing Free-For-All.

The perennial place-getter finally got his group one win when he grabbed London Legend by a nose, with defending champion Just An Excuse a nose back third in a thrilling finish.

Larsen drove Howard Bromac perfectly, settling him three back on the outside and not panicking when he got hemmed in during the middle stages.

That left them with enough energy to pace close to 54 seconds for the last 800m, one of the fastest sectionals ever in New Zealand.

That left Larsen shocked and with his bottom lip quivering during post-race interviews.

"It is great for him to get a big win after all the placings he has run in group one races," said Larsen.

"The pace was on all the way, which is a huge advantage to him, but he still had to do a big job to win.

"This really means a lot to me because I have always believed in this horse."

The victory may earn Howard Bromac an invitation to the A$500,000 Miracle Mile at Harold Park in 13 days, but Larsen admits he would be unlikely to accept it.

"It wasn't in our thoughts because I didn't think he would be invited and at this stage he is likely to stay home and be aimed at the Auckland and Hunter Cups."

Larsen's long-term aim is the A$3.1 million Interdominion series in Tasmania, where Howard Bromac's ability to back up will make him one of the leading chances, particularly with Mainland Banner unlikely to contest that series.

While nobody could deny Howard Bromac his win yesterday after 12 months' hard slog in open-class racing, there were plenty of others who lost few friends in the event.

London Legend had the race won until the last stride, while Just An Excuse was huge after racing into the strong headwind that hit runners down the back straight.

Napoleon was a close-up fourth after leading, while Bobs Blue Boy was stuck three wide for the last lap but finished only two lengths from the winner.

With Howard Bromac likely to dodge the Miracle Mile, New Zealand's best chance of having a runner could be Sly Flyin, who could secure his spot tonight.

The Tony Herlihy-trained pacer has had a luckless Australian campaign but is the likely favourite in the A$60,000 Newcastle Mile.

If he wins that sprint, in which he clashes with fellow Kiwi pacer Foreal, he is certain to make the Miracle Mile field.

New Zealand's other main Mile contender, Winforu, will stake his claim in the final prelude at Harold Park in Sydney next Friday.

Sizzling win

* Howard Bromac noses out London Legend and Just An Excuse in the New Zealand Free-For-All.
* In doing so he paced one of the fastest last 800m sectionals ever on a New Zealand track.
* Allegro Agitato confirms she is the best trotter in the country by winning the Trotting Free-For-All.
* Rameses sets a national record for 1950m.