NZ HARNESS NEWS
Promising colt Culpeka justified his white-hit favouritism with a comfortable win for trainer/driver Brent Mangos at Alexandra Park last night.
He settled three back on the pegs early before Mangos popped out in to the one-one.
By the turn he was eyeballing the leader and he drew clear for victory in a deceptively-quick 2.39.2.
For the second week in a row, he was guilty of a wee bit of inattention down the straight but Mangos was quick to downplay any major problem.
“He’s a bit laid back, but he’s a lovely horse to drive,” he said.
“Last week I had the half blinds on him and he didn’t see the winner run past him, so I took them off this week and he was much better.
“He didn’t really want to run away from them, but he did it easy.
“I hoped he would improve with last week’s run, fitness-wise, and he has.
“He went good tonight and I’m very happy.”
Culpeka was Group 1-placed at Addington as a juvenile last season and Mangos has classic aspirations with the son of Mach Three once again.
Consequently, his next assignment will be at Group 2 level in the $50,000 Alabar Classic on December 15.
“We’ll miss the Northern Stakes ($25,000) next week and come back here in a fortnight for the Classic.
“Then we’ll look at the Sales Series Race ($200,000) on New Year’s Eve and go from there.”
Culpeka is owned by Perth trainer Barry Howlett and his family, who has forged a close association with Mangos in recent seasons.
It’s unlikely Culpeka will be leaving our shores for the WA Derby early next year, however.
“Barry’s got another one I sent over, Jack Mac, there and getting ready for the Derby so he’s quite happy to keep the two of them apart for now.”
Mangos made it a training and driving double half way through the program when trotter Roi Des Gitans got home down the outside to record a narrow victory.
The main race of the night was won by Canterbury visitor Mongolian Storm, who led the whole way in the hands of Joshua Dickie.
There was some early drama in the race when the favourite, Dance Time, failed to score up and took no serious part.
It may not have mattered, however, with Mongolian Storm winning by four lengths under double wraps.
“He felt super tonight,” said Dickie.
“He’s a lovely horse; he relaxed well and kicked away when I asked him to go.”
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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