Star Power: Connections of Chancellor Cullen are considering a Queensland Spring Carnival campaign
Leading Victorian trainer Dean Braun is giving serious consideration to a Queensland Spring Carnival campaign.
The opening leg of the new Grand Circuit season starts at Albion Park on October 26 with the running of the Gr.1 $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship and Braun is eyeing off the feature event with stable star Chancellor Cullen.
The richly talented pacer returned to the trials last Tuesday (August 27) at TABCORP Park, Melton and scored impressively pleasing Braun and regular driver Chris Alford.
"He went fantastic and pulled up even better so I'm really happy with where we're at for this campaign. Chris said we could start him off that trial but I'm going to give him another trial because that was the first time he's had the hopples on since his last start." Braun said.
Chancellor Cullen has won 8 of his 11 starts since crossing the Tasman but hasn't started since finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Golden Nugget at Gloucester Park in Perth last December behind boom pacer Im Victorious.
The Christian Cullen entire went amiss after the Perth campaign which required a throat operation leaving Braun to play the waiting game.
"He's only a young horse who hasn't been overly taxed throughout his career so there was no need to rush him back. I actually had him back in work and progressing nicely before he kicked a rail and curbed his hock which required more time off.
It's going to be a big step up for him when he meets the open class performers but I honestly believe he's the best horse I have in work who's destined for bigger and better things." Braun added.
Chancellor Cullen is expected to trial again next week.
The Queensland features staged at Albion Park will be held over a three week period starting with the $30,000 Be Good Johnny Sprint on October 12 followed by the $75,000 Gold Coast Cup the following week before wrapping up with the $200,000 QPC.
Braun is no stranger to success in the sunshine state after claiming the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks with Itz Nosurprisesthere during the recent winter carnival.
“We’re not locked in just yet but it’s a very attractive option if we choose to head in that direction, the Queensland events provide a perfect stepping stone into the elite racing circles.
We have also thrown in a nomination for the New Zealand Cup in November just to cover all bases while I’m looking at bypassing the Miracle Mile at this point in preference for the Victoria Cup in December.
The Gr.2 Melton Plate on October 4 looms as his first major test this term so that will determine which path we take for him this season.”
The Lara based horseman is loaded with talent in his boutique operation and looks set to play a strong role in several features across the nation with the likes of Macha, Chilli Palmer, Mustang Mach and triple Oaks winner Itz Nosurprisesthere.
Braun has enjoyed his best season to date with well over 100 winners for the term which includes feature race success in his home state plus Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart and Perth while amassing more than a million dollars in prizemoney.