Chancellor Cullen will be hoping to go back-to-back this year.
Dean Braun’s reputation as one of Victoria’s most astute trainers went to another level last season and with the news that Blitzthemcalder will join his Lara stables, there is no doubt the trend will continue.
But more immediately focus will turn to the City Of Melton plate as the stable send three runners to Tabcorp Park Melton for the Group 2 contest worth $50,000.
That represents a third of the entire field but going by the early TAB.com.au’s fixed odds, the trio comprise almost 60% of the market.
History will be against Braun’s favoured runner however, as Chancellor Cullen will be shooting to become the first dual winner of the race for four and five-year-old’s.
It’s a feat that can’t be underestimated either with heroes of the sport such as Bitobliss, Melpark Major, Shakamaker and Sokyola all taking out the race on just one occasion.
Braun spoke on RSN’s new trot panel ‘Gait Speed’ earlier in the week about Chancellor Cullen’s lead in to Friday’s race.
“We’re very happy with him, he has been in work a long time and we’ve taken him along very slowly but he was very good first-up and Chris (Alford, driver) said he wasn’t out of second gear and he has trained on very, very good since,” Braun said.
“He’s definitely not wound up yet, he has a big season in front of him but in saying that he’s fairly forward to run a pretty good race on Friday night and he is a natural athlete so he keeps himself pretty right.
“He had a blowout last Tuesday while I was away and Nathan Jack drove him and was very happy with him and he trained terrific yesterday (Monday) so we are very happy with him.”
As mentioned, Braun won’t be going in with a lone hand as his other two chances drew closer to the pegs in their attempts to upset the favourite.
With Chancellor Cullen in seven, Rule Like A King has come up with the ideal alley in one while Magical Telf starts from two.
The latter has accrued a record of 13 wins from 18 starts and despite only having had one start in this grade previously; he has always been well touted by Braun.
“Luke McCarthy drove them both as three-year-old’s when I took them to Menangle and he said what do you think? And I said well Chancellor Cullen is a standout but I really like the other horse (Magical Telf),” he said.
“Coming off the track after having driven both of them he said ‘I don’t think he is as far off as you think and maybe in 12 months’ time who knows’.
“We’ve taken him along very slowly and his owners have been patient so he is a horse with a good future anyway.”
And the third of the runner from the Lara stables, Rule Like A King, has the big advantage of the polemarking draw and even had his trainer questioning whether he might be the horse to beat following his last piece of work.
“I came off the track yesterday thinking that maybe Chancellor Cullen wouldn’t be able to sit outside him (Rule Like A King) and beat him but half an hour later I soon changed my mind after I’d worked Chancellor Cullen,” Braun said.
“I really like him (Rule Like A King), he was a bit of a ratbag early doors but we’ve ironed him out. He just keeps stepping up and he’s won all of his last five starts.”
To hear the full podcast of ‘Gait Speed’, which includes Braun talking about his recent acquisition Blitzthemcalder, simply click here.
