Racing: Big heart carries Pulcinella to victory

Physical size does not mean everything with a racehorse - just ask Cambridge trainer Don Sellwood.

The well-respected horseman has a massive opinion of pony-sized 3-year-old filly Pulcinella, an easy winner of the $70,000 Group Two SkyCity Avondale Guineas, in the hands of Noel Harris at Avondale yesterday.

Pulcinella lengthened stride effortlessly over the closing 200 metres of the 3-year-old event to win by three-quarters of a length from Joyful Life, with a further nose back to Mr Jinky.

"Pulcinella is a very small filly, but she has a big heart and is very competitive every time we take her to the racetrack," said Sellwood.

"She has already had a bit of racing this season, including a trip to Christchurch for the 1000 Guineas, but she seems to be handling everything at the moment. She had a week out in the paddock after the trip to Christchurch.

"We will now focus on having her spot on for the Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic ($100,000 Group Two event) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

"I'll then sit down and see how she is after that race before we make any decisions concerning her future racing plans in terms of a shot at the New Zealand Oaks.

"There are plenty of racing opportunities for 3-year-old fillies in autumn and I would prefer to take it one hurdle at a time."

The favourite Crusoe was given an economical run by jockey Michael Walker, handy to the pace throughout the running of the 1600m event, but failed to quicken in the home straight battling into fourth, just over three lengths behind the winner.

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Blinkers lead to victory

The addition of blinkers to the racing gear of rejuvenated sprinter Dipped 'N' Grey had winning trainer Don Dwyer sporting a large smile in the stabling area at Avondale racecourse yesterday.

The 5-year-old has tested the patience and training skills of the Pukekohe-based horseman during the past year with some indifferent and battling performances, but returned to winning form in the hands of Noel Harris in the Auckland Racehorse Owners 1200.

Harris settled Dipped 'N' Grey back off the speed and worked through the middle of the field in the home stretch to unleash a blistering sprint over the closing 100 metres to win by a neck from Aria, with a further length back to Time Spent.

Dwyer was quick to credit Harris with some timely advice for part of the reason for the recent form reversal record by the 5-year-old.

"After Noel rode the horse at Matamata recently he asked me to race him in blinkers," said Dwyer.

"They have certainly helped and I think the other thing was racing him last Saturday at Ellerslie (placed third) and backing him up a week later has done him no harm.

"He is a clean-winded horse, but he did blow a little after the race today. If there is a suitable race at Te Rapa next Saturday I may back him up again.

"I'll then space his races a little and look at all possible racing options because he is nominated for the Railway and Telegraph sprint features.

"Now that we have him back to a solid patch of racing form I want to maintain it and be in good order for the Christmas racing here at Ellerslie."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY