27 Mar 2009
Bart Cummings-trained
Kroner (NZ) (Viking Ruler x Monroe Magic) was back in the winners' circle with a vengeance when he took out the A$70,000 Parramatta City Lord Mayoral Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill in Sydney on Saturday.
Kroner has always looked a promising type but his racing career has been hindered by equine influenza and injury problems. However, on Saturday he rediscovered his potential in emphatic fashion and posted his third win in only 10 starts.
The four-year-old is a half-brother to the AJC Australian Derby winner Headturner (Anabaa), being from the Zabeel mare Monroe Magic.
Duncan Ramage's DRG Thoroughbred Thoroughbred Services bought Kroner for A$225,000 from the draft of Cambridge Stud, as agent for Whakanui Stud, at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Kroner settled back but then made a sharp move forward from the home turn and he went on to score a resounding one-and-a-quarter length victory.
Kroner has always shown his share of ability and he put it all together today, taking his record to 3 wins in 10 starts.
Kroner is a half-brother to AJC Derby winner Headturner (Anabaa), being from the Zabeel mare Monroe Magic and he was a $225,000 purchase from the 2006 Magic Millions, making him one of the four most expensive yearlings by his sire to date.
Kroner's sire, Cambridge Stud-based Viking Ruler, is a son of Danehill from the dual Group 1 winner Tristalove (by Sir Tristram) who won 11 race.
Tristalove was head of the 1992/93 New Zealand Two-Year-Old Free Handicaps and was joint top filly on the 1993/94 Australasian Three-Year-Old Classifications.
Viking Ruler was the highest priced yearling in Australia in 2000, costing A$1.5million at the Sydney Easter Sales, and during his racing career he claimed the 2001 Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes for trainer Clarrie Connors.