U May Cullect 'just born to run'

U May Cullect and driver Kirstin Barclay drew rapturous applause from the Ascot Park crowd on...
U May Cullect and driver Kirstin Barclay drew rapturous applause from the Ascot Park crowd on Saturday after the unbeaten 5yr-old trounced his rivals by more than six lengths. PHOTO: KATIE SUTHERLAND
Southland's star act U May Cullect helped his trainers, Kirstin Barclay and Paul Ellis, score a quartet of wins at their province's biggest race day at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The untapped 5yr-old drew massive applause from the Diamonds Day crowd after powering away from his opposition to score by six and a-half lengths.

It was U May Cullect's fourth win from as many starts.

"I am going to put him in the paddock now and bring him back on the first of June and aim him for a nice race at [New Zealand] Cup Week," Barclay said.

U May Cullect's four explosive wins have all come in smart times with sizzling sectional splits.

Saturday's victory took U May Cullect to a 77 handicap rating. That means he is likely to clash with junior free-for-all types during New Zealand Cup week though she would be keeping all her options open regarding the type of race she might target him for.

When U May Cullect steps out in free-for-all company, or possibly even in the New Zealand Cup, he should be an even better horse than he is now.

Barclay said the pacer had consistently improved since winning his debut in March.

How much U May Cullect had come on since then was evident in his final trackwork before winning on Saturday.

"I didn't say anything to anyone, but this week his work was phenomenal on the beach.

"He felt better than he ever had. I just kept that to myself because there is so much pressure.

"The racing is making him better. He doesn't wear the hopples - he only wears the hopples on race day.

"He is really light; he carries no condition. He is just born to run," Barclay said.

Wee Man Trouble notched the first of the stable's wins on Saturday.

The 4yr-old bounced back from three disappointing recent efforts with a strong front-running win over Harness Jewels contender War Admiral.

Well-regarded horse chiropractor Tommy Beckett treated the trotter's back after his recent flops in Canterbury and that helped Wee Man Trouble regain his best form, Barclay said.

Paddyproudfoot produced a good late burst of speed to make it three wins for the Barclay-Ellis stable.

The problem-plagued pacer's body has stayed sound for long enough for him to make it two wins from two starts this preparation.

The Barclay-Ellis stable sealed a quartet of wins on Southland's premier race day when Chuckles scored a maiden win in the last race on the card.

The 3yr-old brought form behind Paddyproudfoot into the race.

He was the third placegetter in a Barclay-Ellis trifecta in his debut at Winton earlier this month.

 

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