Racing: Butt has quiet confidence before Addington feature

Stunin Cullen is a hot favourite to give the Butt stable another Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell

This time blatant arrogance has been replaced by simple confidence as Tim Butt counts down to the New Zealand Cup.

Not that Butt is an arrogant trainer, far from it usually, but he admits four years ago when he took Flashing Red to the Cup he couldn't help himself strutting around in the days before the race.

"Red was the sort of horse who was going to love the distance and to be honest I just thought he would turn up and win," said Butt.

Flashing Red did, and returned to defend his Cup a year later.

Today Butt takes redhot Cup favourite Stunin Cullen into our greatest race but there will be no strutting.

Because Butt knows what it takes to win the New Zealand Cup and Stunin Cullen has yet to prove he has it.

He has the manners, although they will be tested from barrier one. He definitely has the speed. Today we will find out whether he has the heart.

His wins this spring have been almost effortless and there is no doubt Stunin Cullen is racing better than any other open class pacer in New Zealand.

But can he cop a 3:56 or 3:57 time for the 3200m, speeds at which oxygen debt makes courage as much of a currency as ability?

"I think he can because people don't realise how good a horse he has had to be throughout his career," said Butt. "With the breathing problems he has he often raced with a lot less oxygen than other horses but never gave up.

"I know it takes a special horse to win the Cup but I think he is that horse. If is just he hasn't proved it yet."

Logic decrees Stunin Cullen the pacer to beat today as his New Zealand rivals - Monkey King aside - would all need to improve at least two lengths on recent form to beat him.

And he does have a decided speed advantage over Aussie hardman Smoken Up.

Those looking for a little confidence boost Stunin Cullen can stay should consider this.

As a 3-year-old he won our premier classic, the Woodlands Derby, beating among others Sleepy Tripp and Tintin In America.

Sleepy Tripp has since gone on to win an Easter Cup, while Tintin In America finished second in an Auckland Cup and smashed Flashing Red's national 2700m record winning the Messenger.

So while we think of him as a speed freak, Stunin Cullen's staying credentials are, on paper at least, better than many realise.

Today they will need to be.

Market: $2.80, Stunin Cullen; $4.50, Monkey King, Smoken Up; $9 Sleepy Tripp; $13, Kiwi Ingenuity; $21 Highview Tommy, Power Of Tara, Raglan; $31, Bondy, Bettor's Strike; $61, Pembrook Benny, Ohoka Dallas, Georgetown; $151, Lord Forbes; $201, Fake Chance; $301, Mr Molly.