By Michael Guerin
It may all come down to one simple question.
After months of build-up, speculation, withdrawals and comebacks the Interdominions return to Auckland tonight.
It will be a true Interdominion, not one of those half-baked series when the Pacers and Trotters are held months, and sometimes even countries, apart.
There have already been some stars fall from the sky - Buster Hanover, Holmes D G, Sharp And Telford, New Age Man will not be there.
But there are plenty left in this racing galaxy, including two true greats, Our Sir Vancelot and Pride Of Petite, facing uphill battles to become the first three-time Interdominion champions.
Their clash is just one of the battles within the war.
For horses like Iraklis, Agua Caliente and Merinai this is a chance to shine under the watchful eye of the Australians, critics who either doubt or have not yet been convinced of their brilliance.
For others, like Bogan Fella, Franco Hat Trick, Country Duke, Breeny's Fella, Sundon's Way and Special Force it is the chance to take a step up the ladder, to go from mixing it with the big boys to beating them.
But for one horse it is the chance to be called a champion. No, sorry, the champion. Not this season's champion, or a champion who will be passed over in a year or two.
A full-blown freak. The big kahuna, real deal, serious champion.
Christian Cullen has already kicked down the doorway to where the legends live.
He could retire today with nothing left to prove.
Now he stands with his massive nostrils breathing down the neck of Cardigan Bay and the right to be the called the greatest standardbred New Zealand has produced.
If he can continue his winning sequence through this series he will have won 17 races straight, among them the New Zealand and Auckland Cups, the Miracle Mile and the Interdom Grand Final.
But the Interdoms will be the greatest test of his dazzling career.
On what we have seen this season - at the dust bowl that is Ashburton on Labour Monday, at Addington on the magnificence of Cup day, the magic of Harold Park on Miracle Mile night and the frenzied atmosphere of Alexandra Park on Auckland Cup night, Christian Cullen dominates Australasian harness racing more clearly than any other pacer this decade.
They won't outspeed him during this series and you get the feeling they won't outstay him. They will have to outlast him.
If the champ is to get beaten he could be his own worst enemy.
He will have to back up four times in 14 days, a big ask on a horse who strides so powerfully through even the most simple trackwork. A horse who carries a chest you could paint a mural on. A horse we so often forget is still just a 4-year-old.
His wins look easy but when a horse's legs are whirling at that speed and the pistons of the heart pumping blood that fast the chances that something could give out are increased.
But trainer Brian O'Meara says Christian Cullen will be all right. In fact, better than all right.
"He has got stronger all season and while I know this will be a hard series it will be just as hard on the other horses," said the ever-confident one.
"I can't see a horse in the series who will come through it any better than Cullen."
There are no doubts Christian Cullen is going into the series at his peak. His sub-56 second last 800m in trackwork at Kumeu on Wednesday confirmed that.
In his favour will be his reputation, which coupled with his gate speed, could see him virtually conceded some heats. Tonight he has drawn barrier eight but when driver Danny Campbell gets serious the front will be his for the taking.
If that is the case in other heats - and it could well be - then Christian Cullen could breeze through the heats and arrive at the March 19 Final relatively fresh.
If that happens then the one simple question of this series will be answered.
Christian Cullen will survive and if he survives he will win. And Cardy will have to move over and make room for an equal to share his pedestal.
Pictured: Christian Cullen working-out at Kumeu on Wednesday. HERALD PICTURE / KENNY RODGER
Horse Racing: Cullen breathing down Cardy's neck
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