By BARRY STREET
New Zealand racegoers can expect to see the real Australian speedster Cullen when next he races at the Wellington Cup carnival at Trentham.
The 3-year-old colt by glamour Austalian sire Danehill cost himself group one glory and a $156,250 first prize at Ellerslie on January 3 by veering out to the middle of the track in the McDonogh Railway Handicap.
But do not expect a recurrence when again he goes for group one honours in the $150,000 Armstrong Jones Telegraph Handicap next Monday.
That advice comes from Tuhika- ramea trainer Keith Hawtin, who has been looking after the Melbourne based Cullen for his international training partner, Graeme Rogerson, since the Railway.
Rogerson decided about a fortnight ago to bypass lucrative Melbourne oppor- tunities with Cullen - like the $A221,000 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley next Tuesday - to tackle the Telegraph.
How serious is Rogerson about the big 1200m at Trentham?
About as serious as a gunslinger because he has engaged outstanding Melbourne jockey Greg Childs for the task of a group one win against weaker opposition than would be the case in the Australia Stakes.
Rogerson was able to secure Childs after the former New Zealand jockey decided on a brief return home next Monday to be on Aerosmith in the weight-for-age Trentham Stakes.
Cullen has won only twice, but he hasn't lacked for class against some of the speediest horses in Australia.
It should also be pointed out that from 14 races Cullen has amassed $A227,136 in stakes plus $50,000 for his second in the Railway and been unplaced only three times.
Australian jockey Allan Robinson rode him in the Railway and later claimed that, apart from racing too keenly on the heels of the leaders on the home turn, the colt lost at least a length when asked to keep a straight course in the run down the home straight.
"If he had run straight he would have won the Railway easily," Robinson said after dipping out to the now-retired mare Cannsea by a head.
There should be no fear of Cullen racing erratically at Trentham, Hawtin maintained yesterday.
"He is so much better going left handed than right handed, as at Ellerslie.
"That is why Graeme sent him from his Sydney stable to his other team in Melbourne."
Hawtin said Cullen could also be expected to strip pretty fit at Trentham after a no-fuss stopover and some excellent workouts at Tuhikaramea.
"He's been no trouble to look after," Hawtin said. "He's a lovely horse. In fact, for a colt, he's quite a gentleman."
Cullen would have five travel- mates to Trentham, Hawtin said.
They would be Smiling Like (the Wellington or Summer Cup), Rough Verdict (Douro Cup), the impressive debut-winning 2-year-old Royston (Mercedes Super Bonus Prelude), 2-year-old filly La Bella Dama and maiden Kreisler Mirage.
Racing: Trentham made to order for Cullen
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