By Jonny Turner
If you thought Cosmic Major was impressive at Addington last week wait until you see him on Wednesday.
The Hayden Cullen trained colt is one of several two-year-olds who will be out to secure Sires Stakes Finals berths when heats are run for both fillies and colts.
Cosmic Major (4) steps out alongside his stablemates Cut N Run (2) and Franco Mac (1) in heat one of the Sires Stakes Series for colts and geldings following his powerful debut win.
After thriving since his sparkling in his work since, the pacer will take top billing among Cullen’s trio and should prove very hard to beat.
“It was a nice win last start and he has really sharpened up off the run,” Cullen said.
“He is definitely the one to beat out of our three.”
Cosmic Major got just the kind of experience his trainer wanted him to have in his first start at the races.
Driver Tim Williams sat him off a solid speed and let him power to the line full of confidence.
“It panned out really good, we didn’t really want to be in the early burn and there was a bit of speed on and a few lead changes.”
“It really played into our hands.”
Cut N Run was strong in second behind Cosmic Major last week.
Though he was four lengths behind his stablemate in second he had more than five lengths on the rest of the field at the finish.
“I thought he was really good,” Cullen said.
“He has still got a bit to learn and he is not quite as good as Cosmic Major just yet, but the Bettor’s Delights do improve a lot.”
“Hopefully he can keep improving and catch up with the other guy a wee bit.”
Cosmic Major and Cut N Run both had the measure of Franco Mac when all three clashed in a recent Ashburton trial.
Cullen would not be surprised if the pacer came out and run a better race on Wednesday than that trial may effort may suggest.
“I actually really like him, he went a really nice trial at Ashburton a couple of weeks ago.”
“He is a nice progressive type, he is a definite place chance, especially where he has drawn.”
“I could see him running second or third.”
The Cullen trio face stiff competition from two classy geldings from Gavin Smith’s stable.
My Ultimate Chevron (5) returns to racing for the first time since his brilliant debut in last month’s Sapling Stakes.
James Cagney (3) starts for the first time from Smith on Wednesday on the back of two recent trial wins.
The gelding heads to the races having beaten Cosmic Major, Cut N Run and Franco Mac in those efforts.
Cullen starts four of the seven runners in Wednesday’s Sires Stakes heat for two-year-old fillies, including Suntan (6), A Bettor You (1), True Fantasy (3) and Emmy (5).
Suntan’s strong debut in the Leonard Memorial Stakes means she rates as the trainer’s leading chance just ahead of A Bettor You.
“I think you would have to go Suntan on her first up run and with the draw (1) A Bettor You, you would have to put them one and two,” Cullen said.
True Fantasy beat all three of her stablemates in a recent trial and though Cullen rates her highly he is wary that Suntan and A Bettor You have more experience than her.
“It was a nice trial, she is a horse with a bit of ability.”
“She will improve on whatever she does on Wednesday.””
“She should be an eachway chance.”
Emmy also beat Suntan and A Bettor You as the four Cullen runners went to the line close together in their recent trial.
“She is one that hasn’t shown a lot at home but every time she has stepped off the property she has really improved.”
The Cullen quartet look to have a big job on their hands to down North Island raider. Chantilly (4).
The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan trained filly staged an incredible recovery to run fourth after being checked and losing vital ground in her last start in the Delightful Lady Classic at Alexandra Park.
