By MICHAEL GUERIN
Finally something has gone right for Christian Cullen.
The champion has had a disastrous season both on and off the track.
He was a dramatic failure in his only start this season when fifth of seven in a moderate Hannon Memorial in September.
That was followed by a host of problems and a running battle to get the freak fit while at the same time start his stallion career.
The lure of the $A3.7million Interdominions finally proved too much and trainer Brian O'Meara called a halt to semen being collected from Christian Cullen just after Christmas so he could hone the pacing icon for the Inters.
A flying workout at Kumeu last Wednesday was followed by a safe trip to Melbourne on Saturday and then yesterday the best news O'Meara could have hoped for - a perfect draw for his return.
Christian Cullen will be having his first race since the Hannon in the $A10,000 Air New Zealand Free-For-All in which he will clash with arch-rival Holmes D G.
But the race has been gifted to Christian Cullen thanks to the magnificent stallion drawing the ace.
Mile races at Moonee Valley start at the end of a bend, giving the inside horses a massive advantage at the start.
So the ace draw coupled with Christian Cullen's blistering early pace makes him a certain leader while Holmes D G will be struggling his way through the field after drawing the outside of the second line.
Christian Cullen's reputation should ensure there are no serious challengers in the middle stages and he should need do little more than sprint a fast last 400m to win.
O'Meara was happy with the way Christian Cullen has handled his trip and was feeling more confident after last week's workout.
"I don't usually work him against Cigar but I had to last week and the way he went showed me he still has what it takes to beat, or at least be competitive with, the best horses," said O'Meara.
"He has done a lot of work and all he really lacks now is race sharpness but Saturday's race should be perfect."
Christian Cullen's arrival in Australia has seen him shorten in the Interdom markets and he will become a clear second favourite should he win on Saturday.
While Holmes D G looms as his only realistic danger the race also contains Kiwi mare Under Cover Lover and the Victorian Country Duke, who ran Christian Cullen to a head the last time he won a race, a heat of the Interdominions at Alexandra Park last March.
Holmes D G was initially going to bypass the Mile to contest a 2540m discretionary handicap on Saturday night but trainer Barry Purdon changed his mind after the Miracle Mile winner was given a 45m handicap.
Saturday's meeting provides a perfect lead-up to next week's Interdominions, with flashy trotter Mountain Gold taking on French star Euro Ringeat in a free-for-all.
Euro Ringeat was rated the seventh best trotter in Europe last season and will have champion Australian driver Gavin Lang in the sulky. He has drawn barrier three, one inside Mountain Gold, who has not raced since breaking in the Dominion Handicap in November.
The outcome of their clash should determine who starts the series rated the biggest danger to Lyell Creek.
The latter's stablemate and Auckland Cup winner Happy Asset will contest the discretionary handicap which Holmes D G pulled out of while London Express goes up against Victoria's best 3-year-old pacers in an early Victoria Derby lead-up.
The appearance of Christian Cullen, the other Kiwi stars and Euro Ringeat thrust Harness Racing Victoria officials into overdrive yesterday.
"We were expecting around 4000 people for Saturday's meeting because it was going to be the calm before the storm of the Interdoms," said HRV spokesman Shaun Kelly.
"Now we are sure he will get at least 8000 people here and maybe more because of Christian Cullen and the other New Zealand horses."
Unfortunately Kiwi racing fans won't be able to see the races live as the TAB has no plans to stay open past 7 pm on Saturday, meaning Trackside won't be showing the vital Interdom lead-up races Christian Cullen wasn't the only New Zealand champion to get the perfect draw to start his Inter campaign yesterday.
Courage Under Fire also drew the ace for Friday night's Shepparton Cup.
The unbeaten pacer clashed with Cigar, the pacer who had the dubious distinction of chasing him home the most during his incomparable classic season last year.
The two Kiwis have scared all but three of their Victorian rivals away.
With Cigar drawn two in the 2280m mobile there could be early fireworks, especially as Cigar will be driven by aggressive local horseman Brian Gath.
But Courage Under Fire will still be at unbackable odds to lead and record the 24th win of his career.
And this race might even make it on to Trackside, with the TAB working yesterday to extend its Friday night coverage.
Racing: Winning return on cards for Cullen
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