Kronenbourg (NZ) Hits New High in Brisbane Handicap

Previously a nine-time winner through his four years in the Eagle Farm stable of Tony Gollan, Karaka graduate Kronenbourg (NZ) (Vadamos) claimed the 10th and most significant victory of his career in Saturday’s A$300,000 Listed Cricks Highway Brisbane Handicap (1600m) on his home track.

Kronenbourg has now had 32 starts for 10 wins, eight placings and A$596,524 in prize-money. He was offered by Wentwood Grange in Book 1 of Karaka 2020, where Awapuni trainer Bryce Newman and his wife Michelle bought him for $45,000.

A placegetter from two New Zealand starts for Newman in the autumn of 2022, Kronenbourg was later sold across the Tasman and flew over to join Gollan’s stable. He has been an accomplished performer through the four years since, but after four unplaced finishes dating back to his last win at Doomben in the spring, some might have thought his best days were behind him. Kronenbourg proved them wrong on Saturday at $91 odds.

Ridden positively by apprentice jockey Emily Lang, Kronenbourg jumped from the outside gate in the field of 10 and charged forward to take a clear lead within the first 400 metres of the race. He dominated the race from that point on, then found a bit more when he was challenged in the straight by the favourite Cote Atlantique (Kodiac). He fought for all he was worth and held on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Gollan was delighted not only with Kronenbourg but also with stablemate and fellow Karaka graduate Antino (NZ) (Redwood). The multiple Group One winner carried 61 kilograms into an eye-catching fourth.

“I love the way he’s come back today,” Gollan said. “It's hard to make up ground on this track, it's been like that all day.

“I think, with the 61 kilograms, he’s done an amazing job. Now I’m very excited for the Hollindale Stakes (Group Two, 1800m) in two weeks.

“But today’s all about Kronenbourg, so well done to him, well done to the team and well done to Emily Lang.

“I put a set of blinkers and a tongue tie on him. I didn’t think he was showing a lot of interest in his previous few runs. We had a plan to roll forward on him. I’m just so happy for the horse.”