By Michael Guerin
Christian Cullen may be on the verge of a remarkable comeback.
Just last week trainer Brian O'Meara feared the pacing icon may miss the rest of the season after being struck down by acute travel sickness in Victoria.
But now the big southerner is back in work and was jogged for the first time in six days yesterday after showing he was returning to full health.
"He is looking a lot better and we are very happy with him," said O'Meara.
Even though Christian Cullen is showing signs of recovery, it will not be known until he is under real pressure whether the virus which struck him last week will leave any long-term effects.
Because of the veterinary treatment he received last week he is prohibited from running in the $A400,000 Hunter Cup on January 30, but that could be great news for Auckland race fans.
O'Meara is now confident he can have Christian Cullen back at his best for the Interdominions, which start at Alexandra Park on March 5.
Christian Cullen will remain in Victoria for at least another week.
Courage Under Fire - the wrecker
He has broken another one.
Courage Under Fire doesn't just beat horses these days, he wrecks them.
The unbeatable one already has this Saturday's $A100,000 Victoria Derby at his mercy after a track-record equalling heat win last Saturday.
That had Australian bookies talking about the Kiwi superstar starting at 20-1 on ($1.05) regardless of where he draws.
But money back is starting to look more realistic after Australia's best 3-year-old Shakamaker ran up the white flag yesterday.
The gutsy Victorian pacer chased Courage Under Fire home last Saturday and was expected to do the same in this week's classic.
That was until trainer John Justice had to abandon the colt's workout yesterday.
"He felt lethargic and started coughing. I think he may have picked something up and the Derby is now in doubt."
Justice will decide finally today but Harness Racing Victoria officials aren't expecting a full Derby field because Courage Under Fire has scared his rivals off.
Probably not a bad decision either. Chasing the pocket rocket home has already proved too much for our second-best colt Cigar.
He missed the Victoria Derby series because he was sore after chasing Courage Under Fire home in the Great Northern Derby.
The rest of the Kiwi 3-year-olds have been left looking pretty demoralised too.
Tale of two brothers
Colin De Filippi may be enjoying the drive of his life behind Courage Under Fire in Melbourne but brother Mike isn't so happy.
The older De Filippi made a rare trip to Australia with Sundowner Bay for the Australasian Trotters Champs but never got close to a start.
The speedy southerner was scratched from last Saturday's opening heat after an injury thought to have been sustained when he was kicked by another horse.
De Filippi expected Sundowner Bay to recover quickly but that has not been the case, and the upstanding trotter will return home for a three-month spell, missing the Inters at Alexandra Park as well.
Holmes D favourite
Holmes D G is expected to open a $3 favourite when the Hunter Cup market is released in Australia today.
The only major newcomers for the 3280m feature who were not among those he beat in the Auckland Cup are likely to be a trio from the powerful Justin Warwick stable.
Warwick won last season's Hunter Cup with Try A Fluke and his assault this year will be led by Interdominion Grand Final runner-up Allwood's Chief, an impressive winner in Perth last Friday.
The New Zealand TAB will open a fixed odds book on the Hunter next week, while they may also open a book on the Australasian Trotters Championships which will be run the same night.
Horse Racing: Pacing icon looks like making a comeback
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