Racing: 2009 Derby winner returns

Stunin Cullen beats Sleepy Tripp to win the Woodlands Northern Derby at Alexandra Park last night. Photo / Dean Purcell

The miracles of micro-technology have given Stunin Cullen a second shot at greatness.

Canterbury trainer Tim Butt says the Derby winner is ready to start down that path at Addington tonight.

The forgotten horse of New Zealand pacing resumes in a $9000 pace over 1950m mobile, drawn on the outside of the front line against horses not worthy of carrying his gear bag.

That should make him a certainty, but after a rugged last year with the $800,000-plus earner, Butt knows not to get carried away.

Stunin Cullen exploded on to the scene as a late 2-year-old before living up to his name in the Sires' Stakes Final and Woodlands Derby at 3.

He looked set to continue in that vein when he finished second to Kiwi Ingenuity fresh up last October but was taken to Perth soon after and a problem Butt feared he had been suffering from his entire career flared up.

"The first time I scoped him as a late 2-year-old, I told our vet there was something wrong with him," said Butt.

"But we couldn't find it and then he had a great season so I thought I might be wrong.

"But at the start of last season I scoped him again and was certain he had a problem somewhere. Again, we couldn't find anything."

But after a series of below-par performances in Australia last season, Butt heard about a revolutionary new camera, which allows horses to have their airways scoped while working.

"We tried that and when we saw the result it was amazing," he said.

"He was fine when he was working halves [800m sectionals] in 65 seconds but once he got up to full speed his throat just collapsed closed and he couldn't breathe.

"They were able to put the images on a disk so we could watch them on the computer and it makes you wonder how he ever won a race."

Butt says the problem explains why Stunin Cullen has been so good while relaxed following the speed and then producing electrifying bursts, but struggled to work at a more demanding rate in his races.

"Some people were potting him for being weak or not trying but the poor bugger couldn't breathe after he had to go hard early."

Stunin Cullen was operated on in Victoria earlier this year and Butt says the 5-year-old looks ready for a return to the big time.

"When they have had a problem like that you never get too carried away but he was very good at the trials last week."

That saw him easily beat stablemate Raglan with a 27-second last 400m to win easily at Addington.

"He is the fastest horse I have ever trained and if he can stay healthy he is a genuine New Zealand Cup horse.

"That is where we are aiming this season and I think he probably has to win this week to justify that.

"I know 1950m races are funny and can be ruled by what happens with the three-wide line, but he should be too good for them."

Butt says that with exceptional 3-year-old The Muskeg Express, Raglan and open-class trotter Ray all close to resuming he is confident of a better season than last year.

"They all look great but Stunin Cullen is a rarity, because I think he is as fast as any pacer in the country so he can win a cup. And at least we know now what was wrong all along."

STUNIN FIND
* Stunin Cullen resumes at Addington tonight.

* The $800,000 earner underwent an operation for a severe throat problem.

* Trainer Tim Butt believes it has been troubling the Derby winner through his entire career.