Six for Cullen across two venues

West Melton harness racing trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen have three runners at both Alexandra Park and Addington tomorrow night.

Their three Auckland runners General Jen (Captaintreacherous), Winelight (Downbytheseaside) and Arafura (Sweet Lou) will race in the $200,000 Group One Magness Benrow New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Fillies Final.

General Jen has won her last two starts and the draw at two is a good one for driver Blair Orange.

“I think the best option would be to go forward because she’s got good gate speed. Getting across to the marker would be the first plan. Last time in she had a lot of speed and if she had to do a little bit of work she wasn’t finishing her races off. She’s come back a lot stronger. Last week she couldn’t have raced like that last prep. She’s improved a hell of a lot and I think she’ll carrying on improving,” Hayden said.

Winelight hasn’t been favoured by the draw and lands on the outside of the front row. She’s had three starts at the Park for three minor placings.

“She’s done nothing wrong and flies under the radar. It’s not an ideal draw but she’ll just have to go back off the arm and hope for a bit of luck in the running. If she goes as good as she did in the Oaks she’ll be a good top four chance.”

Arafura was excellent at her last start, winning the Northern Oaks. She draws the second row and follows out stablemate General Jen.

“I wasn’t too concerned about that (the draw). It would have been nicer if Cran’s one (Beside Me) had drawn out three or four spots. We might have just been able to truck and trailer through. She’s going to be handy enough and is good enough to make her own luck.”

Hayden says Arafura is the stable’s best winning chance at Alexandra Park.

Heading south and the Cullens have three runners fronting up at Addington.

Trump Card (Rock N Roll Heaven) in his first start since October was excellent at Addington two weeks ago, finishing second to the classy Arthur Shelby. He gets his chance to go one better in Race Two.

“I was rapt with that run. He trialled up good in his last trial, raced well and it looks like a winnable race.”

He starts from the inside of the second row.

“He’ll probably need a little bit of luck from the barrier. If he doesn’t get shunted too far back on the rails he can win that.”

In the $60,000 Group Two Continental Event Hire Superstars Championship, Hayden and Amanda line up Harrison John (Always B Miki).

The four year old gelding has won his last two starts and has great track and distance stats.

“He’s come back really good this time in and strengthened up a lot. The team are really happy with him and how he’s trained on since that last start. It’s a good field but he’ll be right amongst it.”

Cullen labelled Harrison John as the stable’s best bet at Addington.

In Race Nine stable runner Hadron Collider (Sweet Lou) draws the outside of the front row in a capacity field.

“It won’t be easy from out there. Bob Butt’s horse (Sideshow Bruce) is the one to beat. If we can get into the race without having to do too much work he can figure in the finish.”

After being stationed in the north for nine weeks Cullen said he’s looking forward to heading south.

“Really looking forward to heading home, seeing the family and the rest of the team. Can’t wait.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink