Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Relief was an emotion Michael Kent Jnr felt just as much as the euphoria of winning his hometown Cranbourne Cup for the first time after Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) saluted by 0.25l in the Listed feature on Saturday.
That is because there was a time when he admits his 6-year-old – who won his first four starts – might not have returned to the racetrack due to heart issues.
But all that was forgotten when the gelding led from start to finish in the $500,000 mile race, saluting from runner-up Air Assault (Justify {USA}) in a thrilling finish.
It was jockey Ethan Brown's third win of the day.
Saturday’s victory was Globe first in five starts, taking his career tally to five wins from nine races, and a total of $506,250 in prizemoney for co-trainers Kent Jnr and Mick Price.
And it was a deserved win this preparation after finishing fourth in the G3 Moonga S. on October 19, and runner-up in the Manifold S. at Flemington on November 7.
“I’m absolutely delighted, over the moon. There was definitely a point in time where Mick and I thought we wouldn’t get this horse back,” Kent Jnr told The Thoroughbred Report.
Michael Kent Jnr with Globe (NZ) after winning the Listed Cranbourne Cup on Saturday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He burst onto the scene as a slow starter. He won his first four starts by increasing margins as he went up in grade.
“And then he had pretty severe cardiac arrhythmia when he was favourite in the Feehan (S. last year, finishing last), and required a break.
“He had one run back, then had a fight with the water walker and had to have another break.
“... He (Globe) had pretty severe cardiac arrhythmia when he was favourite in the Feehan (S. last year, finishing last), and required a break. He had one run back, then had a fight with the water walker and had to have another break.” - Michael Kent Jnr
“So he’s been very sparingly raced the past 12 months. But just the whole preparation he’s been perfect.”
Globe's travails make him a wiser racehorse
Kent Jnr said Globe had matured greatly this preparation.
“The way he looks, he’s a really happy horse. He’s a high nervous-energy horse, but he’s been much more settled this preparation,” he said.
“And he just built to this win (on Saturday). First-up was good and second-up was better.
“Cranbourne is a track that probably doesn’t suit him. But he’s got a big ticker and a will to win.
“The way he (Globe) looks, he’s a really happy horse... Cranbourne is a track that probably doesn’t suit him. But he’s got a big ticker and a will to win.” - Michael Kent Jnr
“He really showed it late.”
Kent Jnr said he and Price were prepared to show so much patience with Globe during his health battles because of the raw ability he displayed early on, after saluting in his first four starts.
“You’re definitely patient for the good ones, especially. That’s because he’s shown so much ability and we had to keep persevering,” he said.
Globe (NZ), winner of the Listed Cranbourne Cup on Saturday | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“While he’s an older horse, he’s been very lightly raced. He’s still on the up, and the mile was just okay for him today.
“But he’ll maintain that same cruising speed over 1800 and 2000 metres, and that’s where I think he’ll really come into his own.
“So (on Saturday) I think he got away with it, but I’m really looking forward to going up in trip.
“He’ll (Globe) maintain that same cruising speed over 1800 and 2000 metres, and that’s where I think he’ll really come into his own... (on Saturday) I think he got away with it, but I’m really looking forward to going up in trip.” - Michael Kent Jnr
“And if he gets his toe in the ground, he finds a few lengths on soft ground.”
Globe is by European Group 1 winner Charm Spirit (Ire), who has produced 20 stakes winners.
And he is out of Bonnie Doon (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}), who is a full sister to dual Group 1 winner Booming (NZ).
Roll The Dice hit jackpot with shrewd buy
Globe was purchased at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 2) by J Naito from the draft of Cambria Park for just $22,000.
A trial winner at Taupo in April of 2022 for the late Toby Autridge, Globe was later bought privately for Roll The Dice Racing by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
“We purchased Globe out of a trial in New Zealand. When we’re buying horses out of New Zealand we’re buying trial form and not necessarily pedigree,” Kent Jnr said.
Globe (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“And as we know horses can come from anywhere.
“He’s by Charm Spirit, so he’s got that spark about him. He won a trial by about six or seven lengths and we were very impressed by it.
“Hence we were keen to secure him.
“We bought in partnership with Roll The Dice, so half the syndicate’s our clients and half are their clients.
“We love Roll The Dice, we’ve had so much success with them. And I’ve got a lot of my mates in this horse, which is what’s really cool.”
Kent Jnr: 'There's nothing like hometown Cup win with Globe'
Saturday was extra special for hometown boy Kent Jnr, who was visibly elated to savour his first Cranbourne Cup victory with an equally-delighted group of owners.
“I’m born and bred in Cranbourne. I grew up here with Dad. Dad’s won a Cranbourne Cup, this is Mick’s third Cranbourne Cup, but it’s a first for me,” he said.
Ali and Michael Kent Jnr celebrate the Listed Cranbourne Cup victory | Image courtesy of Roll The Dice Racing
“The Cranbourne Cup has long been a part of my life. It used to land on my birthday every year, so I’d always have a marquee up on the hill.
“I’ve got very fond memories, even as far back as spending time with my now-wife 14 years ago in the 2010 Cranbourne Cup.
“So it’s really good to win it. It’s so good, with this horse especially. I’ve got all my friends in the horse, so it’s all happened.”
