By Michael Guerin
The chances of a national mile record at Cambridge on Thursday night skyrocketed yesterday.
Since Christian Cullen went ballistic in the Cambridge Classic 11 days ago the trendiest game in racing has been guessing what time he can pace a mile in, with Thursday's $30,000 Flying Mile his perfect opportunity.
With Cambridge ranking as one of our fastest tracks, Scuse Me's 1:53.5 national record was always going to be on shaky ground.
But it looks certain to go after yesterday's barrier draw.
Christian Cullen drew handy enough at barrier five for Thursday's sprint but has three fast beginners inside.
Brabham and Anvil Vance, drawn two and three respectively, both get out well enough to pressure Christian Cullen in the short run to the first bend.
But it is unheralded Queenslander Journey's End who could provide the early fireworks.
He is rated one of the fastest beginners in Australia and should be able to use his ace draw to press hard into the first bend.
Journey's End warmed up Thursday night's feature by beating Sam Malone in a fast time at the Pukekohe workouts on Sunday.
While no Australasian pacer is capable of holding Christian Cullen out if he really wants the front, the short run to the first bend on Thursday night means the big horse will probably not be able to find the front until at least after the first corner has been negotiated.
That sort of early stir-up should be enough to get the big horse rolling and from there driver Danny Campbell is going to have to just about strangle Christian Cullen to even miss the record.
"I know he is capable of pacing around 1:50 on that track but it don't think that will happen this week, although you never know," said Campbell.
"But I know we will go pretty quick."
That was how the TAB saw the race yesterday as they opened Christian Cullen at $1.15 after a surprise decision to take fixed odds betting on the next leg of the disappointing Pacers Challenge.
"The way we look at it, if we open him at $1.15 we can't lose too much and it gives punters a chance to back horses like Brabham and Bogan Fella at $20, which is not something you see every day," said a TAB spokesman.
Horse Racing: Draw should force Christian Cullen to record mile
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