NZB Standardbred Quartet Shine for Cullen in Welcome Stakes

12 April 2021

Cosmic Major (NZ) claims the Group Two Avon City New Zealand Welcome Stakes (1980m).

NZB Standardbred graduates and their trainer Hayden Cullen combined for a first-four after Cosmic Major (NZ) (Art Major) produced a tough win in the $46,000 Group Two Avon City New Zealand Welcome Stakes (1980m). 

 

Cullen started four National Yearling Sale purchases in the Addington feature on Friday night and they filled the first four placings.

 

Cosmic Major was a $37,500 purchase by Phil and Glenys Kennard at the 2020 Auckland National Yearling Sale from Breckon Farms’ draft.

 

The colt showed toughness, speed and determination to nail his stablemate Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) on the line in an exciting finish.

 

The pair fought out an epic home straight battle, with Cosmic Major digging deep to score his first black-type victory.

 

Akuta and driver Mark Purdon led throughout, with Cosmic Major and Tim Williams forced to sit outside them for the final lap.

 

Cullen was full of praise for the colt’s determined effort.

 

“He has been absolutely faultless in every start to date.”


“He had a couple of hard runs in his first two starts then he had a bit of a let up in the last two weeks.”


“He really demonstrated how good he is.”

 

Friday night’s race showed Cullen clearly has four highly promising two-year-olds on his hands.

 

Akuta, who was a $170,000 purchase made by All Stars Racing Stables at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from Broadfield Lodge, was a half head away from the winner in second.

 

Franco Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), who was purchased for $60,000 from Spreydon Lodge at the 2020 Christchurch Yearling Sale by All Stars Racing Stables, took out the third placing.

 

Bollinger (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), who Jean Feiss purchased for $200,000 from Georgia Brooke Lodge at the 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, was fourth.

 

Cullen rates his quartet highly and expects each pacer to continue to progress well as their two-year-old season continues.

 

“The whole four of them are lovely horses and I am rapt to have them in the stable.”


More stakes race assignment await Cullen’s two-year-olds.

 

Friday night’s feature was a qualifier for the Group One Garrard’s Two-Year-Old Sires Stakes Series Final (1980m) at Addington on 21 May.

 

Cullen’s quartet are also eligible for the $200,000 Listed Harness Million Two-Year-Old Colts & Geldings Pace (1980m) at Addington on 14 May.

 

Consignor

Breckon Farms

Purchaser

PI & GJ Kennard Bloodstock

Breeding

Art Major - Rozelski

Sale

2020 National Yearling Sale, Auckland, $37,500

Bred by

Breckon Farms