South Islanders power up for big night at The Park

Two South Island trainers will bring some serious arsenal to the Alexandra Park harness racing meeting tomorrow night.

Hayden and Amanda Cullen and Regan Todd front up with some top liners in the three feature races on the Auckland card.

Hayden and Amanda have two runners in the $150,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three Year Old Fillies Final – Winelight (Downbytheseaside) and Arafura (Sweet Lou) and both have drawn well.

Winelight got the closest to class pacing filly Beside Me last week and since she’s not in tomorrow’s field the Cullen trained Winelight should have a good chance of winning.

“I was rapt with the run. As it panned out we were only able to get one trial into her so we went into that race last week knowing there was a fair bit of improvement in her. To run second behind Beside Me I thought was a top effort,” Hayden said.

Arafura was running on at her first start at Alexandra Park last week – her first race day appearance since November.

“She was in the same boat (as Winelight) only having one trial heading into that race. I told Craig (Ferguson) just to drive her for one run at them. It was a 54 last half and she was making ground. She’s pulled up great and I couldn’t be happier with her. I don’t think there’s too much between my two.”

Todd gears up Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) in the $200,000 Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million Three Year Old Colts and Gelding Final.

He got back in last weeks Alabar Three Year Old Classic and powered home for third, running the same time as the winner Rubira.

“I was really pleased with that. He really hit the line and didn’t deserve to get that close to them. He’s bounced through the run really well and he worked great this morning (Wednesday),” Todd said.

He added the three year old naturally improves with racing.

“Definitely. I found last season he was one of those one’s that just kept getting better with each run. Hopefully it’s no different this year.”

Marketplace draws barrier four in the three year old feature.

“We’ll be positive this week and leave it up to Craig to sort out. He’s shown in his last few runs that he doesn’t have to be driven in any certain way. He can work and he can sprint.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) and We Walk By Faith (Bettor’s Delight) will start for the Cullens in the $60,000 Auckland Co-Op Taxi 300-3000 City of Auckland FFA.

Don’t Stop Dreaming has won two of his six starts at the Park and won this race last year. He’s been racing successfully for Purdon Racing in Australia and since returning home has joined the Cullen barn.

“He seems good, turned up in great shape and I’m happy with his work. It’s a bit of a tricky draw but it looks like a race that’ll have a few movers so hopefully we can get into the race at some point.”

We Walk By Faith is also back from racing in Australia. He last raced in the Chariots Of Fire finishing sixth.

“His work has been super. He hasn’t raced these top class horses yet so we’ll get a line on him on Friday night and go from there. There are plenty of other races up here for him. He’s drawn to get a run in behind them and hopefully he can run on.”

Mo’unga (Bettor’s Delight) will line up in the City of Auckland Free For All for Todd. He was streaming home last week to get within two and a half lengths of the winner. The six year old draws the inside of the second row and follows out Chase A Dream.

“I’m quite happy with that draw. I think that’ll suit him. I’m really pleased with him, he worked super this morning and he’s thrived since that run. I think he could give them a fright with the right run,” Todd said.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink