Kropp hopeful Tears Of Love can overcome awkward draw

By Glenn Davis

A wide draw in a small field is often feared by trainers and punters alike.

Toowoomba’s Matt Kropp is no exception as he weighs up the chances of Tears Of Love extending his winning sequence to four at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Only nine runners have accepted for the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1600 metres and Tears Of Love has drawn barrier eight.

Tears Of Love - a Maddie Wishart mount - is unbeaten in three starts this campaign and is coming off an all the way win over 1660 metres at Doomben on June 23.

His recent Doomben victory was a step-up in distance after winning first-up over 1300 metres at Toowoomba in May and 1350 metres at Ipswich last month.

“Alleys are a problem at any time let alone in a small field,” Kropp said.

“But I suppose Tears Of Love was due for a bad one as he’s had a good trot lately drawing barrier one at his past two starts.

“He doesn’t have to lead but he seems to race better in front and Maddie (Wishart) did a good job on him last start and has a good feel for him now.”

Tears Of Love was a $16,000 buy as a yearling and is raced in a syndicate headed by Rod and Jill Teevan.

“This is the first horse I have bought for the Teevans,” Kropp said.

“I went to the QTIS March sales a few years ago looking to buy a yearling by Love Conquers All.

“He ticked all the boxes and he’s out of a Lion Hunter mare.”

Tears Of Love has delivered for Kropp and his connections, starting 22 times for six wins and as many placings.

Kropp believes Tears Of Love will take plenty of beating again as he chases his seventh career win.

“He’s in the best form of his career and it was either start him in this race tomorrow or wait two more weeks,” Kropp said.

Kropp won the Toowoomba trainer’s premiership in 2019 and is one of Queensland’s busiest trainers venturing far and wide. 

He has 20 horses in work at Toowoomba and another six at Dalby.

Kropp has won six races from his past 50 starters with his home track at Toowoomba his most successful venue with eight wins and 25 placings from 88 starters this season.

Last season he trained 51 winners and this season he has notched up 40 wins.