I'm The Boss in charge of Leonard Memorial

By Mike Love 

Rolleston trainers Hayden and Amanda Cullen continued an exciting weekend when their fillies made up the quinella in Sunday's $40,000 Group 3 Donaghys Pro Equine Leonard Memorial (Mobile Pace) at Addington.

I’m The Boss, with stablemate debutant Wat Fun, dominated the race, leading and trailing from  barrier rise. 

I’m The Boss led up eventually, with driver Blair Orange, after an initial play for the lead by stablemate Wat Fun and Olivia Thornley. 

Still showing signs of greenness, I’m The Boss was simply too good for her rivals, holding out stablemate Wat Fun’s challenge up the passing lane, to win by half a length, with over two lengths back to third placegetter Validation. 

“She really sharpened up like we thought,” said co-trainer Amanda Cullen. 

“The thought process was to take a sit, but when the anticipated speed on the inside didn’t eventuate Blair and Olivia quickly adapted to that and controlled the race from there.”

I’m The Boss is the fifth foal from the well-performed seven race-winning mare Hopes And Dreams.  

"A lot of the owners have come over from the Alabar Syndicate and joined the Cullen Racing Syndicate. Also with new people, so it’s really good for us and the industry.” 

Cullen says I’m The Boss has been up for a while and will now be sent for a spell with an eye on feature races at the back end of the season.

Wat Fun, also a Bettors Delight filly, will stay in for now, with sights set on a two-year-old fillies race at Addington on May 1. 

Cullen Racing will line up We Walk By Faith in this week's Group 1 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park this Friday night, following up a solid seventh in The Race, behind Leap To Fame two weeks ago. He has drawn barrier two. 

“He’s come through The Race with flying colours. Blair drove him for a bit of luck which was a big plus. We are happy with him going into Friday.” 

Attention on Sunday will be at Invercargill for their Diamonds Day meeting where the unbeaten Chiggsy will contest the Group 1 Diamond Creek/SBSR Classic, following on from his win in the Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham on March 29. 

“We couldn’t be happier with him. He’s trialled since he won at Wyndham and he’s in a great place. His work this morning was top class.” 

Another potential starter for Sunday is Mystery Creek who will have to wait and see if he gains a start in the Supremacy Final with those fields due out on Tuesday, while Secret Wish will head to Auckland in preparation for two big assignments.

“She’s due to fly on the 28th (April) and her two assignments up there are the Oaks (May 1) and the Sires Stakes final (May 8).”