Cullen pair looking to upset

By Mike Love

In what is a busy day for harness racing in New Zealand, with three meetings (Wyndham, Rangiora and Manawatu), it’s Rangiora Classic day at Rangiora. 

With the race to be run on the grass surface for just the second time in the history of the race, a field of just six runners will go to the line, including last year's winner Double Time ($20.00FF) for new trainer Margo Nyan, while his previous trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn will line up race favourite It’s Tough ($1.80FF). 

Looking to spoil the favourite’s party are trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen, who line up a third of the six runners - Hadron Collider ($3.20FF) and Harrison John ($4.00FF). 

The $40,000 Bee Buzz Apiaries Ltd Rangiora Classic (Handicap Pace) (3.35pm) over 2600m is carded as race seven on the ten race programme. 

While the small field will mean cat and mouse tactics, co-trainer Amanda Cullen is just hoping her two can make clean and quick getaways from the tapes - and is also their first look on the grass in their careers. 

“It’s the first go on the grass for them both, it will be interesting, providing the track’s not too wet it shouldn’t be a bother, but we’ll have to wait and see,” said Cullen. 

Hadron Collider, with leading junior driver Wilson House, will start from a ten metre handicap, albeit with just the one runner, Double Time, off the front. 

“His biggest nemesis will be getting away quickly and cleanly. He went away good down south but got squeezed and into trouble soon after.” 

Since that run Hadron Collider has been back to Addington under mobile conditions, running fourth to Got The Chocolates on March 13th. 

Cullen’s other runner is Harrison John, for driver Samantha Ottley. Harrison John will also start off the ten metre mark.

“He’s been safe from the tapes. We couldn't have been happier with him in his fresh up run at Addington.”

In that run Harrison John finished second to Got The Chocolates. 

“He’s come back in a really good place this preparation, and his work since Addington has been very good.” 

Favourite It’s Tough, for Robert and Jenna Dunn, driven by John Dunn, will begin from the ten metre mark also, while off twenty metres will be the proven American Me ($20.00FF) along with Ohoka Connor ($15.00FF). 

Hayden and Amanda also line up Chiggsy ($3.80FF) at Wyndham in race six the Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes (Mobile Pace) (2.49pm) at group three level over a mile for a stake of $50,000. 

The Bettors Delight colt won first up at Addington on March 13th, but comes up with a much different scenario today. Driven by Blair Orange, Cullen will be leaving it to the champion reinsman to make the business calls. 

“He’s come through that Addington run well and it’s sharpened him up. He has the visitors draw so Blair will just have to assess it from the gate, but we will need a bit of luck from out there.”