Racing: Co-owner of Stunin Cullen staying home

Stunin Cullen. Photo / Dean Purcell

Eddie Griffin, the Dunedin co-owner of Stunin Cullen, favourite for the $750,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington today, will watch the race on television at home in his lounge.

"I enjoy it more watching on television. I will record it and play it back as well," Griffin said.

"I have some leg problems and it is a hassle for me to go to race meetings these days."

He will be joined by family members for the big occasion.

He is not confident of winning.

"He [Stunin Cullen] has done everything right in his preparation. But I am not confident because it doesn't work like that in racing. The Cup is another level,"

Stunin Cullen has won four of his five starts this season and finished an unlucky second to stablemate Raglan in the other.

He resumed racing with a win at Addington on August 20 and has since won the New Brighton Cup, Maurice Holmes Vase and Ashburton Flying Stakes by decisive margins.

He has made a spectacular return to racing after a throat operation nine months ago to rectify a breathing problem.

Stunin Cullen made his mark at Addington as a 2-year-old by winning the yearling sales series race and at 3 with success in the Sires' Stakes Final.

His racing this season has been marked by swift beginnings and he could capitalise on his ace draw today.

Stunin Cullen is attempting to follow in the footsteps of his sire, Christian Cullen, who won the NZ Cup in 1998 as a $1.90 favourite.

Griffin shares the ownership of Stunin Cullen with longtime friend and former business associate Terry McDonald, of Christchurch.

They began a business in Dunedin in 1983, recycling drums and dealing in scrap metal. Griffin continued on his own for 10 years until 2008, after McDonald shifted to Christchurch.

They bought broodmare Blonde Sister, who produced their first winner, Sistac in 1982, in the late 1970s. They have raced several horses, including Tuherbs, winner of the Welcome Stakes at Addington in 2005 and the 2007 Easter Cup.

Tuherbs died when undergoing surgery on a hind led leg. He won nine of his 22 starts.

Griffin and McDonald bought Stunin Cullen as a 2-year-old from Ann Seaton and trainer Nigel McGrath after the colt had won two trials.