Racing: Larsen seizes the moment to win Cup

Southland driver Kirk Larsen scored his first Group One Cup with Howard Bromac at Alexandra Park yesterday. Ross Land / Getty Images

Now or never were the words ringing through the mind of well-respected Southland horseman Kirk Larsen at Alexandra Park yesterday.

The normally conservative Larsen was handling stable star Howard Bromac in the $250,000 Auckland Cup and he knew within the opening 200m that some tough decisions had to be made.

When Larsen saw the favourite Alta Serena break briefly just after the start he decided that this was his chance to break his duck and finally win a Group One "Cup Race" with the consistent stayer.

Larsen launched Howard Bromac forward around the field to pressure the front-running Harnetts Creek. This move meant Alta Serena had to circle the field and take the lead with 1400m remaining.

Bobs Blue Boy worked forward to wrestle the parked position off Howard Bromac with a lap to run before Larsen pulled out three wide with 800m remaining so he could pounce on the leaders.

Howard Bromac swept forward to pressure Alta Serena and this pair settled down to a stride-for-stride battle down the home stretch.

Howard Bromac justified the aggressive drive by Larsen scoring by a half-length over Alta Serena with a further three-quarters of a length back to Napoleon (third).

The 3200m was covered in 4.03 (mile rate 2.02.3) with closing 800 and 400 metre sectional times of 57.4 and 29.6 seconds.

Larsen was basking in some well-deserved winning glory after the race.

"At the start of the season without Elsu in the free-for-all ranks I thought it would be a whole lot easier to win a New Zealand or Auckland Cup,"said Larsen.

"When Mi Muchacho and Just An Excuse both had problems at the New Zealand Cup Carnival and missed this carnival I knew we were in with a big chance of winning.

"I had a look over my left shoulder soon after the start of the Auckland Cup and I saw Alta Serena galloping and the thing that kept ringing in my mind was now or never for us in this race.

"I wasn't going to be unlucky and that's why I worked forward to sit on the pace. When Alta Serena sprinted around the field I knew I had to go forward and pressure her otherwise she'd get too easy a time in front.

"It wasn't the prettiest drive but it was the winning drive as far as I'm concerned, and I'm stoked to have won the race.

"He's a very professional and genuine racehorse to drive and he always gives his best every time I take him to the racetrack."

Howard Bromac has been booked to fly to Melbourne on January 17 to compete in the Ballarat and Hunter Cups. After both feature events the 6-year-old will travel to Tasmania to race in the Inter Dominion Carnival.

Alta Serena was gallant in defeat after breaking within the opening 100m and adding a conservative 10-length margin between herself and the leaders.

This proved to be a telling factor in the home stretch as Howard Bromac, who made a clean beginning, was able to reel in the leader and post an overdue Group One victory.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY