Stunnin Cullen is right on track to winning The Great Northern Derby with a stunning midweek trial.
It's going to take a Herculean type performance for any 3-year-old pacer in Australasia to take Stunin Cullen's 3-year-old crown off him. The brilliant Christian Cullen colt proved he was bang on to take out next month's $600,000 Woodlands Derby when winning with ridiculous ease at the Auckland Trotting Club's trials at Alexandra Park Wednesday 11th Feb.
The winner of eight of his 10 starts and $451,165, will be going for his seventh consecutive win at his next start at Alexandra Park on February 20. Stunin Cullen will then line up in the Derby semi-finals a week later before the big Group One event on March 6.
Today he stepped brilliantly from the 2700m stand and by the first bend was four lengths in front of his four rivals. At the bell the field remained in single file with Stunin Cullen and Anthony Butt leading Running On Faith (Barry Purdon), Lizzie Maguire (Gareth Dixon), The Cavalier (Scott Phelan) and Kahuna Bromac (Maurice McKendry).
Butt dictated all the pace before upping the speed at the 800m. They come home in 56.3 and 27.7 but could have gone quicker. Lizzie Maguire and The Cavalier finished four and two lengths away.
Co-trainer Phil (Prop) Anderson was pleased with his 3-year-old champion.
"He went well today. Even though all of his forthcoming races are mobiles it was nice to see him step away so quickly. That was his first stand. He's the complete racehorse really - a real pleasure to train," Anderson said.
Anderson said he was easily the best 3-year-old pacer he had trained.
"Nothing seems to worry him. He has exceptional high speed," Anderson said.
Following the Derby on March 6 (also Auckland Cup night) Stunin Cullen will return to his Canterbury base where he will prepare for the $300,000 Christian Cullen New Zealand Derby at Addington Raceway on April 3. The $200,000 Harness Jewels 3yo Emerald at Ashburton on May 30 is also high on his priority list.
Courtesy harnesslink.com
Duane RANGER (editor)