Kropp after more success with New Zealand-bred Romakash

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Matt Kropp is hoping his success with New Zealand-bred horses can continue when Romakash runs at Doomben on Thursday.

Kropp bought Romakash for $46,000 as a yearling across the ditch and the now six-year-old has won more than $217,000 with nine wins and as many placings from 40 starts.

Kropp has enjoyed plenty of success with New Zealand-bred stayers including Trusty Lad, who won the Three-Year-Old Stayers series in 2018.

Romakash is by New Zealand-based stallion Roc De Cambes who has produced some promising stayers.

The grey gelding will be out to turn the tables on Northern Rivers stayer Torrens in their return clash in the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2200 metres.

The Ballina-trained Torrens beat Romakash by almost four lengths in their last encounter over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day.

“It’s a hard race with a lot of dangers including Torrens,” Kropp said.

"I have had a couple by the stallion and they can all gallop if you give them a bit of time."

Romakash is owned by long-time Kropp clients Roland and Sharon Hovey who bought him after the Kropp-trained Spice Of Life won the Roma Cup in 2016.

“They called him Romakash, which is the first two letters of the names of Roland, myself, my wife Kate and Sharon,” Kropp said.

“Roland and Sharon are very passionate about buying horses who can stay and they also own Trusty Lad.”

Kropp has always had a good opinion of Romakash and aimed him for the Toowoomba Cup before he went amiss before the race.

“It wasn’t serious but it was enough to have to turn him out,” he said.

“His last run was very good but he’s been hard to place in his previous races as there were no suitable longer races for him.

“He’s better placed in the class on Thursday.

“Alex (Patis) did a super job on him last start and hopefully she can get a similar run.”