By Mike Love
Rolleston trainers Amanda and Hayden Cullen will be looking to continue a successful weekend after We Walk By Faith’s victory at Addington on Friday night as they head to Phar Lap raceway in Timaru with four runners.
“Both of the boys cleaned their dinner up last night – We Walk By Faith and Don’t Stop Dreaming. We had a quick look over them this morning before they went to the paddock and they’re both looking good,” said co-trainer Amanda Cullen.
Focus now turns to the feature event today in Race 9, the $25,000 Tyre General Timaru Summer Cup (2600m) at 4.38pm where the Cullen team will line up two runners – the fresh up Wish Me Luck ($5.00FF) with Olivia Thornley in the sulky and race favourite Hadron Collider ($2.40FF) with Blair Orange.
Hadron Collider was an eye-catching fifth fresh up at Addington on September 19 dashing home late through the middle of the field without the opportunity for a full effort.
“We were really pleased with his fresh up run. He hit the line strongly which is what we wanted to see,” reflected Cullen.
Hadron Collider was a little tardy away at Addington fresh up with Cullen hoping the Sweet Lou gelding can keep on improving his skillset.
“He’s new to the standing start caper. He’s getting the hang of it but the more experience he gets under his belt the better. Safely away and the right trip in transit he won’t be far away. He does give the guys at home and Blair the feeling that he will be fast away from a stand once he’s had more practice.”
Meanwhile Wish Me Luck kicks off his campaign after having a similar path as his stablemate, trialling twice and in good fashion. The main objective for the five-year-old Vincent gelding is to be attacking the line at the business end of the race.
“He’s returned in really good shape and strengthened up a lot. Two trials under his belt so will definitely take natural improvement with the run. He’s generally quite safe from a stand thus far. We just want to see him hitting the line strongly. Being fresh up after such a long time off he will definitely take natural improvement from the run.”
Earlier in the programme in Race 6, the $12,000 Brosnan Transport LTD Timaru Nursery Stakes (2050m) for two year olds the Cullen barn present two debutants, Crunched ($21.00FF) for Jonny Cox and Ashley Frank ($16.00FF) with Blair Orange.
“They’ve both trialled up well enough to head to the races. They’re both big athletic boys who time will be on their side. There’s a couple of nice types in the race that will be tough. They’re definitely ready for the races so as long as they get around and do everything right they’ll take a lot from the experience.”
Current race favourites Freeze Frame ($2.45FF) for Chrissie and Cran Dalgety and Utah Blaze ($3.30FF) for Amanda and Steve Telfer look hard to beat.
Race one gets underway at 12.10pm.
