Stable talk – Cullen Racing
As spring racing is shaping up and the best of New Zealand’s harness racing stock is starting to appear at the trials, it’s inevitable that interest and excitement begins to build.
In this edition of Stable talk, Hayden Cullen runs an eye over some of the stable’s stars as they prepare to return to the track.
Winelight (Downbytheseaside)
Last started: February 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 2-0-0-0 $3,500
Recent feature wins: Nil
Comment: “She’s back trialling with Arafura on Wednesday. They’ve both had a lot of groundwork. She’ll head to the second Mares Spring Sprint (25th September). There are a few $25,000 races for them,” Hayden said.
Arafura (Sweet Lou)
Last started: February 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 1-0-1-0 $15,500
Recent feature wins: Nil
Comment: “She’s strengthened up a lot and she’s furnished into a lovely mare. There’s the Adore Me (13th November) and all going well we’ll head up to the Queen of Hearts (December 11th).”
Secret Wish (Bettor’s Wish)
Last started: May 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 5-4-0-0 $139,570
Recent feature wins: G1 Sires’ Stakes Three Year Old Fillies Final
Comment: “She’s come up good. She’s a lovely filly who did a super job last time so she’s ready to trial this week at Rangiora. She’ll have two trials and her first start back will be at Oamaru in the Nevele R Fillies Series heat. She’s not a big robust filly, but she showed up north that she’s a tough filly with a bit of speed too.”
Chiggsy (Bettor’s Delight)
Last started: May 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 4-2-2-0 $67,850
Recent feature wins: G3 Kindergarten Stakes
Comment: “Really pleased with the way he’s come back. He had four weeks off. Blair (Orange) just gave him a quiet run (at the trials) on Tuesday. He’ll go back to the trials at Addington and we’ll be back at the races on the 4th (September). Every time he’s come back in he’s built up. He’s a nice horse to have around the barn and nothing fazes him, but he turns up at trials and on race day and goes to another level.”
Mystery Creek (Bettor’s Delight)
Last started: May 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 5-2-0-0 $49,400
Recent feature wins: G2 Southern Supremacy Stakes
Comment: “He’s come back looking super. He’s into his second week of hopple work. We’ll just target those three year old races throughout the season with him. He showed in the Supremacy that he’s a really nice horse.”
Faith Not Fear (Captaintreacherous)
Note: Two year old full–brother to Captains Mistress who’s qualified.
Comment: “He’s a lovely horse and we liked him last time in. He had three trials. He probably grew a bit and was ready for the paddock. He was out for three months and it’s the best thing that has ever happened to him. He’s come back a big strong fella now. He hung in a bit at his last trial at Addington on Tuesday. I was just changing a bit of steering gear on him but we’ll get him sorted during the week. He’ll line up this Friday. He’s a horse with a lot of ability and we’re really excited about him.”
I’m The Boss (Bettor’s Delight)
Last started: April 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 2-1-1-0 $28,200
Recent feature wins: G3 Leonard Memorial
Comment: “She trialled last week and had a quiet run behind them as we do with most of our horses having their first trial back. We’re really pleased with the way she’s come back and seems a lot stronger. She’ll have another trial and then line up in the Caduceus Club Prelude on the 4th (September) at Addington.”
Major Cyclone (Father Patrick)
Last started: June 2026
Starts/wins/placings this season to date: 5-2-0-0 $19,222
Recent feature wins: Nil
Comment: “We just gave him a bit of a freshen up after his last start. He had a quiet trial and Jacob (Bennet) who works for us had his first steer behind him. He’s ready to go this Friday. Jacob has been with us for almost two years. He’s Mark Bennet’s son who works for HRNZ. He’s come a long way and is very passionate about the game. We want him to get his junior driver’s licence.”
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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