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Canterbury trainer Hayden Cullen is about to unleash his harness racing A team at the races, led by We Walk By Faith (Bettor’s Delight).
The three year old gelding is a new addition to the barn. He last started in the G1 Sires Stakes Final in May, running second to Chase A Dream.
“He had his first hit out on Wednesday and just followed them around. He’s right where we want him at the moment. He’ll have another run at the trials this Wednesday. We’ll try and get three trials into him and his first start will be on the 27th September just in the Lazarus Stakes. He’s doing his work fairly easily and feels like a nice horse. I’m still getting to know him but everything he’s done he’s taken in his stride,” Cullen said.
Two year old filly General Jen (Captaintreacherous) has had just two starts, winning once at Addington in March and then finishing third in the G3 Leonard Memorial. Winelight (Downbytheseaside) has followed the same pathway as General Jen, finishing third to her stablemate at Addington and fourth in the Leonard Stakes.
“They had a very quiet trial on Wednesday and I was going to take them back in a fortnights time. They’ll look to have their first start on the 20th September and more than likely go to the first Sires Stakes Heat. Only Winelight is Harness Million eligible so hopefully we can get her there.”
Three year old Justcallmemiki (Always B Miki) has had just three starts from the Cullen barn for one win.
“He was just a bit crook, so he had a bit of down time. He had a quiet trial on Wednesday and he’ll race on Friday.”
Trump Card (Rock N Roll Heaven) has won two of his four starts including his last two. He last started at Addington in July, winning by five lengths.
“He also had a quiet trial on Wednesday and he’ll go again next week. He’s got the Sires Stakes Harness ‘7000’ on the 13th September. I’m rapt with him. He had a freshen up after his last start and he’s come back good.”
Grattan Loyal mare Bashful recorded an extraordinary feat in 1961 when three of her foals ran in the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
Damian and Diamond Hanover were full brothers by Lucky Hanover, while older half-brother Guiseppe was by Josedale Grattan.
That year’s Cup was won by Invicta trained by Steve Edge. Damian finished eighth, Guiseppe nineth and Diamond Hanover twelfth in a sixteen horse field.
The only other mares to have multiple runners in the great race were Free Advice with Pacing Power and Horsepower in 1944 and Splendid Dream with Christen Me and Hands Christian in 2006.
A full sister to Chicago Bull qualified at Wyndham today.
Two year old filly Chicago Sky trained by her breeders John and Katrina Price was too good for her two rivals in the 2400 metre mobile qualifying trial.
Chicago Bull won thirty six of his sixty two starts and was placed a further thirty six times, winning $2,417,890.
His Group One wins included the Freemantle Cup twice, McInerney Ford Four Year Old Classic, WA Cup and WA Derby.
Another full brother Perfect Stride, won at Menangle last night, taking his career tally to sixteen.
This Friday night sees the running of the 74th New Brighton Cup.
Dual winners of the time honoured race have been Vanadium (1973-1975), Lord Louis (1985-1986), Desperate Comment (1994-1995), Iraklis (1997 – 1998), Cool Hand Luke (2002-2003) Terror To Love (2012 – 2014) and Christen Me (2013 – 2015).
Steve and Amanda Telfer’s runners Alta Wiseguy and BD Joe, have won the last two editions of the pacing feature.
The current race record of 3-11.6 is held by 1999 winner OK Oscar. He was trained by Bryan Lilley and driven by Peter Jones.
High end pacers Da Vinci (Art Major), Louies Girl (Lord Forbes) and Life Of Art (Art Major) looked in good nick when they trialled at Wyndham today.
After trailing pacemaker Insarchatwist, Da Vinci driven by his trainer Craig Ferguson came down the middle of the track to win from Louies Girl (Mark Hurrell) which came home impressively and Life Of Art (Brent Barclay) who made ground down on the inside.
All three look forward enough to commence their new campaigns on a good note.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
