U May Cullect on the comeback

A casual glance at the Harness Racing New Zealand website this morning sent me into shock.

At the bottom of the list of horses changing stables was U May Cullect (Gotta Go Cullect) noted as returning to Kirstin Green’s stable after nearly two years away from the racetrack.

He’s had tendon issues throughout his career. He last raced at Addington in October 2021 when he finished fifth behind Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight).

“We’re just playing around really. We brought him up to trim his feet and the leg looked really good. He’s a horse that loves being in work and is always at the gate every time you’re working one. So we brought him in as a cart horse. I had a couple of stroppy ones that I wanted to work on the lead so initially I just started doing that. He’s been bowling round quite nice so we decided to put him back in and see what happens,” Green said.

Owned by Tom Kilkelly, U May Cullect commenced his racing career as a five year old and won his first seven starts. He had just the one start as a six year old for a third, and nine starts as a seven year old for two wins and a second. His last win was at the Riverton meeting at Winton in March 2021.

“We’re not expecting too much. It’s a bit of trial and error. The tendon looks good at the moment but once they get under pressure that’s when things give out. He’s had three or four months work.”

The gelding’s biggest win was in the Listed Uncut Gems at Addington in June 2019 when he beat Classie Brigade (Bettor’s Delight) by a nose.

“If he can take the next step that’ll be awesome but if he doesn’t he’ll go back to being a hack.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink