He’s Cup for a challenge, says Cullen
But the old warrior was not the only special horse Wode has witnessed pass the Cluden Park post with a list that also includes Stradbroke Handicap winner Tyzone and
Princehervey Prince Hervey.
“There has been a lot of them, a lot of horses that have gone and raced in group company d down south,” he said. “There has been a lot of very good horses come through the North.”
PETER Cullen is preparing for the biggest race in his fledgling training career.
But you wouldn’t know it. The veteran jockey is a picture of tranquillity on the eve of his first Townsville Cup as a trainer, with exciting sevenyear-old Buster Block pitchforked for the 2000m journey.
The Reset gelding was impressive when running on for second in the Mackay Cup a fortnight ago, and Cullen is confident it has set him on the path to glory.
Cullen’s confidence in his galloper is reflected in his approach to the track today.
He has no nerves, and will go in with the same approach he has every day at the Cluden Park track.
But that doesn’t represent the long road he has walked to get to this moment.
Over a three-decade career in the saddle, the Townsville Cup is the only race that has eluded him.
He has finished second, third and fifth but never in the winner’s stall.
But that is not the only lengthy journey he has faced. It has been a tall task to get his galloper to the big dance, with Buster Block facing his marching orders from Cullen’s wife and stable supremo, Laurel, before his first start for the team.
But Cullen’s belief in the gelding has never wavered.
“When I first bought this horse I knew he would win a Townsville Cup,” Cullen said.
“I think I was doubted early on. His first start I drove all the way to Innisfail and put him into the barrier. He played up like a cow losing his biscuits.
“The owners and Laurel just said to me ‘ what good is he?’. She told me to ring the float mob back and get them to take him away.
“But I put him into a paddock and spent six months working with him. I have always had a good relationship with this horse, I really liked him.
“He played up to the holy hell in the stables but I think it showed he had a lot of determination. That is what I like in a horse. You have to have a fair bit of mongrel.”
Cullen would earn the brazen gelding a second chance, and he would not waste it winning his debut start with ease at Bowen.
Since then he has gone on to claim seven wins and six placings from 21 starts and has even his most ardent of doubters believing.
“I told Laurel he is going to win a Cup. She thought I was mad. But now she won’t let me do much with him,” Cullen said. “She has taken over and that is just the way it is.”
Cullen will take the reins on the gelding in the Cup today and said he had been blessed with the run of the race after drawing barrier 13. With emergencies dropping off he will likely come into nine outside Frank Edwards on Rock Spur.
“He is good as gold, he was good in the Mackay Cup but he was just shy of a run,” Cullen said. “That is the plan, we have got to get it on the day.
“He has pulled up from that run better than ever, we haven’t overworked him and we believe we can keep him ticking over well.
“He isn’t too fresh and he isn’t too overdone. I get the run of the race, there is a chance to go forward if you need to, or you can come back to where you need to. I can just hold him together and we will hit the ground and make up our
minds.”