Racing: Champion trainer backing Pulcinella in fillies’ classic

Don Sellwood has done a rare thing in horse racing - he's gone into a group one race knowing his horse had to fall over to lose.

Sellwood knows he faces a much different scenario in today's group one $275,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.

The Cambridge trainer is aware he has a chance, but rates half a dozen others with similar expectations.

On January 1, 1981, Sellwood took Drum to Ellerslie for the Auckland Cup.

It was one of the easiest Cup victories in the history book.

Chris McNab led on Drum and it was game over as far out as the 1600m halfway point.

"You could have tied one of his legs up and he'd still have won," said one of racing's most modest trainers.

Sellwood produces the tough, game little Pulcinella into today's classic fillies' race and considers her a top chance.

And, it's not just because she beat the Guineas' favourite Tsarina Belle at Te Rapa on Labour weekend Monday.

Sellwood was genuinely surprised that punters virtually ignored Pulcinella to get onto the chances of Tsarina Belle in that race.

"Tsarina Belle is only a maiden winner and my filly was a group three winner as a 2-year-old.

"And she was beaten only a length and a half in both Sires Produce races last season.

"She should have been third in the Soliloquy Stakes at Ellerslie - Noel Harris got a month for dropping his hands in the closing strides. That's pretty good form. She was way over the odds at Te Rapa."

Sellwood is one of racing's best horse conditioners, but he has always preferred a low profile and a smallish team.

It's rarely been a team without a headliner - often female. Filly Of The Year Mun Lee and more recently Natalie Wood have been good winners and Sellwood has a lot of time for Hong Kong-owned Pulcinella.

"She's tough. What she's got she gives you."

Sellwood went the roundabout way to end up in Cambridge. He began his career at Hastings, preparing Drum there and then moved to Bulls in 1989 - the year he won the Wellington Cup with Noble Khan.

He thought about giving training away and did a brief stint as stable foreman, but took out his licence again more than six years ago.

He rates tomorrow's field as very even.

He likes Pulcinella's No 6 barrier, which he says will be perfect for rider Hayden Tinsley.

He should be able to tuck her away nicely from there.

Pulcinella, like the favourite Tsarina Belle, can hit the line strongly, so Riccarton's wide open home straight is going to ideally suit the northern pair.

"I know it's a big field, but everything should get its chance," said Sellwood.

This is not a race you would like to have even a small amount of bad luck in, unlike most years for this race, there are eight to 10 strong winning chances and at least one of them is going to take advantage of any misfortune by the opposition.

Tsarina Belle remains the main danger. Her two recent beaten efforts have been strong races and physically she has given the impression she will get better with each race.