Cullen's Creek (inner) wins Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday, from Ohokadallas (outer). Photo / Tayler Strong
Cullen's Creek won the Hannon Memorial free-for-all in track record time of 3.13.4 for 2600m at Oamaru yesterday.
He gave leading Canterbury driver Anthony Butt his fifth win in the important leadup race to the NZ Cup after scoring with Blossom Lady in 1990 and 1993; Mister D G (2004)
and The Flyin Doctor (2006).
He is trained by Butt's brother, Tim, who prepared The Flyin Doctor and Mister D G.
Cullen's Creek took 0.7sec off the track record set by Smooth Trickster in 2001.
The race record for the Hannon was 3:14.5, set by The Flyin Doctor.
The 5-year-old has been entered for the $750,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup in November in which he could well be joined by stablemates Stunin Cullen and Raglan.
"He [Cullen's Creek] is a good, honest horse with good manners," Butt said.
Cullen's Creek led early then trailed when Bondy reached the lead at the 1800m.
The entire came along the passing lane to win by a length from Ohoka Dallas, who ran on wide out after trailing three back on the inner. Bondy was a head back third.
Raglan dropped out to second last after racing in the open.
However, possibly the most impressive victory yesterday was that scored by Franco Emirate after losing 50m at the start. He is now unbeaten in seven starts.
An inquiry was held by stewards but it could not be established if he had tangled for 150m or more, the distance permitted under the rules.
Trainer Jim Curtin received the approval of stewards for Franco Emirate, the son of Christian Cullen, to start from the unruly position in the Superstars Championship at Addington on Friday night.
Springbank Richard began a fresh campaign with a comfortable win in 3:20.4 for 2600m, 0.2sec outside the track record held by Special Force (2001) and Take A Moment (2002).
He started from 30m and surged home three wide from ninth and eight lengths from the leader at the 700m.
He has the Banks Peninsula Cup ahead of him on Sunday as his next assignment.
