show me:

Kropp Favours Step Up In Distance For Tears Of Love

3 minute read

Toowoomba trainer Matt Kropp is hopeful Tears Of Love can continue the stable’s recent run of good fortune at Eagle Farm this Wednesday.

Tears Of Love is a dual acceptor, but Matt Kropp has decided a step up in distance will best suit the gelding, opting for the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 2231 metres in preference to the 1800-metre Benchmark 70 Handicap.

He also accepted with The Minivan in the Benchmark 70 Handicap and Oakanagan Miss in the Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1400 metres.

Tears Of Love, a Kate Cowan mount, tried to lead all the way last start over 1850 metres at Toowoomba when caught late by the Kris Lees -trained Political.

"I also accepted with Tears Of Love in the 1800-metre race but we want to step him up in distance while he's got nothing on his back," Kropp said.

"It was a tough effort from him last start and it showed me he was worth having a crack at a longer race in town.

"It's a harder race on Wednesday but he'll be competitive.

"We've got no big plans for him and he'll just stick to these types of races at the provincials and in town."

Eagle Farm hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Kropp in recent times compared to his record at other venues.

But the reality is he ventures far and wide with his stable of 25 and only sends his horses to the metropolitan area if their form warrants it.

"I try to place my horses in the best races for them to win," he said.

"It's like every stable which go through patches, we don't have that many runners we can take to the city."

Kropp won the Toowoomba trainer's premiership in 2019 and is one of Queensland's busiest trainers venturing across the state for the right placement.

He has won seven races from his past 50 starters, with his home track at Toowoomba his most successful venue with 12 wins and 24 placings from 82 starters this season.

Kropp's last two starters - Romakash and Vast Karma - were successful at Eagle Farm on Saturday and the Sunshine Coast on Sunday respectively.

He's had 26 starters at Eagle Farm this season but only three have been successful.

Romakash broke a long Eagle Farm drought for Kropp winning a 2200-metre Benchmark race on February 20 before backing it up with his win last Saturday.