Racing: Tough love brings stunning Derby win

Some tough love and a wonderful drive won Stunin Cullen the richest pacing Derby in New Zealand history last night.

The favourite overcame a second-line draw courtesy of a perfectly-timed move by driver Anthony Butt which saw him cruise to the lead with a lap to go, from where the result was never in doubt.

But co-trainer Phil Anderson said the ground work for the Woodlands Derby win was laid on the training track during the week.

"He blew really hard after his second here last week and we knew we had to get stuck into him," said Anderson.

"So he had a lot harder week in training this week and that took a few kgs off him.

"It is sometimes hard training these types of horses because they have to peak so many times during the season but it looks like he got this one right," said a beaming Anderson.

The victory all but ensures Stunin Cullen the title of 3-year-old pacer of the year after earlier winning the Sires' Stakes Final, Elsu Classic and Sales Series Pace.

The win was his ninth from just 13 starts and takes him to almost $800,000 in stakes, a phenomenal amount for a horse who hadn't even raced this time last year.

"He is one of the fastest horses we have trained and I think he will go on to make a top open-class horse," said senior training partner Tim Butt, who knows a thing or two about training great horses.

The victory gave Stunin Cullen revenge over Sleepy Tripp who beat him last week but the latter lost few admirers as he was pushed to three back on the markers at the bell and lost valuable momentum when he tried to take the passing lane.

Percy The Punter was a fighting third ahead of the winner's stablemate Bus To Harland, who only battled after taking the trail with a lap to run.

Earlier on the night, Anvil's Best Ever gave driver Anthony Butt the first leg of a glamour double when he led throughout in the $150,000 final of the Young Guns series. The Nigel McGrath-trained colt held the lead from barrier one and was given an easy time in front before holding out wonderful filly Gotta Go Harmony.

The latter trailled after a superb drive by Brent Mangos and while she just missed victory, her performance confirmed her as a filly of the highest class.

Anvil's Best Ever is the first star son of Elsu to hit the tracks in New Zealand so it was fitting that the biggest win of Elsu's siring career so far came on the track where he won so many group one races.

"He is a good horse now but I think he can get ever," said Anthony Butt.

In the preceding race, Sixpence, appropriately part-owned by the race sponsor Ian Dobson, led throughout to win the Delightful Lady Classic.

Outstanding trotter Stig, driven by David Butt, notched a double for the meeting by easily winning the City of Sails Trot. It gave trainer Paul Nairn some recompense after the failure of Red earlier on the programme.

FAVOURITE'S DERBY
* Stunin Cullen overcomes a second-line draw to win the $600,000 Woodlands Derby.
* It confirms he is New Zealand's best three-year-old.
* The victory was the second leg of a huge double for driver Anthony Butt.
* Earlier Anvil's Best Ever took out the $150,000 Cardigan Bay Stakes.