NZ HARNESS NEWS
Cullenmore overcame a rough trip when sent sideways by runner-up Frankie D with 200m to run at Methven on Sunday.
Cullenmore (Samantha Ottley) got going again and stormed back to win an eventful maiden by a head over Frankie D, who also ran out near the line.
It was five-year-old Christian Cullen gelding Cullenmore’s first win in nine starts for Canterbury trainer Andrew Garters.
Hot favourite Stunin Lover ($1.55) added to a incident-packed race (2300m mobile) when he broke on debut at the 500m when leading, after Frankie D and trainer-driver Jonny Cox had rushed up to put the pressure on from the 1000m mark.
Another debut runner, Friend, had better luck when he underlined some strong trial form with a dominant maiden win (2300m mobile) for trainer Phil Burrows and driver Gavin Smith.
The three-year-old Changeover colt settled in the one-one sit and shot to the front at the 800m, cruising clear to win by 2 ½ lengths.
Clasina Maria made it three wins on grass when she led all the way for driver Jessica Young in the R55-62 mobile (2300m).
Trained by her father Paul at West Melton, the five-year-old Art Major mare (four wins) is a half-sister to Carpenters Daughter (13 wins).
Soney Beatt ($5.50) also showed his liking for the green top when scoring his sixth grass-track win and eighth overall in the feature trot for junior driver Sheree Tomlinson after leading for the last lap (2400m stand).
The six-year-old Sundon gelding has now won on grass at Waikouaiti, Banks Peninsula (twice), Oamaru and Methven (twice).
Canterbury driver Blair Orange moved to 22 wins for the season when Goodlookin Chick picked up the last race with a brave effort.
Orange won three on Saturday at Addington to take a handy early lead in the national premiership over David Butcher (13), while defending champion Dexter Dunn is on three wins after a delayed start to the season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
