by Tayler Strong
Culler Coded, who recorded her second heat win in the Stunin Cullen Sprint Series at Forbury Park on Thursday night, will now be freshened up for the $10,000 final on July 1.
“She is now ineligible for the heat next week so I will freshen her up for the final. She is really in the zone,” said David Heffernan, who trains the 4-year-old skewbald mare for his wife, Rebecca and the Splash Out syndicate.
Heffernan said that Culler Coded had lifted her game since he stopped feeding her grain in January. He also fitted her with leg bloomers.
“I discontinued with the grain as she was not stretching out. P. Gillespie, the vet, said it was a sign she was tying up,” said Heffernan. The bloomers were to alleviate hopple chafe.
Culler Coded powered home from three back on the inner over the 1200m on Thursday night after drawing one on the second row. She outfinished the pacemaker, Bettordean, a heat winner on the first night of the meeting.
She was one of four winning drives for Nathan Williamson, his equal best tally for a day. Williamson also won with Spur Wing, Hurricane Banner and Cullens Lady. He trains Hurricane Banner for the BBC (Bluff Bowling Club) syndicate. He has won races for the syndicate with Capitol Drive, Livy Franco and Bet’s Best. Nathan has driven the winners of 85 races this season, a personal best exceeding his 75 last season.
Trainer Phil Williamson brought up his 50th win for the season, all with trotters, and it was a family affair. His winner, Winners Shout, is raced by son, Brad and Grant Gray, of Invercargill. The half century is a record tally for a New Zealand trainer with trotters for a season, surpassing the 46 wins Phil posted in the 2006-07 season.
Eli Lowe, who changed hands for $1000 16 months ago, cleared maiden ranks. Eli Lowe entered the ownership of Sam Young, of Outram, his sister, Lisa and parents, Lindsay and Debbie after being claimed from a race at Ascot Park and transferred to Tahakopa (South Otago) trainer Brian Norman. Sam worked for Norman at weekends when at school in 2013. Norman then trained another winner for the Young family, Midnight Music, who had been claimed for $500.
Eli Lowe, is a 5-year-old gelding by Elsu from Biddy Mulligan, who has left Arthur Lowe and Melina Lowe both winners at Forbury Park this season. Paul and Brendon Duffy bred the trio of winners from the Washington VC mare.
Norman is the new trainer of Four Starzzz Shiraz, who was claimed for $10,000 after his win in the third heat of the Forbury Park claimers series.
“He will be back for the claiming race next week,” said Shane Forgie, of Outram who bought Four Starzzz Shiraz. He sped to the lead from barrier nine and won by three parts of a length. It was his second win in three starts since joining the stable of Graeme Anderson.
Superior Desire, who finished sixth was claimed for $5000 by Craig Parsons, of Christchurch. Golden Gate stormed home wide from seventh at the 400m to win the C2-7 trot in style.
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