Regent takes the reins

LOCALLY owned and trained two-year-old old Cullen Regent maintained his unbeaten record with another promising performance in the Rapidvite 2YO Pace at Cranbourne on Sunday.
The striking son of Christian Cullen debuted with a first-up win at the track on 7 May, when he was second over the line. He was declared the winner by stewards after a protest by driver Chris Alford against Scruffy Major, first past the post.
The duo resumed hostilities on Sunday and were well fancied in the market along with the polemarker Alta Sinatra, who was making his first trip to the races for astute Kilmore conditioner Tony Peacock.
On Sunday, Cullen Regent was first to the pegs from the start, but surrendered the lead to Scruffy Major, while Alta Sinatra settled behind the leading group.
Scruffy’s chances were effectively ended with just over a lap to travel, when he lost valuable ground when checked by another galloping runner.
Round the home turn on the last occasion, Gordon Turner kicked clear on Scruffy Major and Cullen Regent had to dig deep in the last 150m to reel him in to score by a head on the line.
Jasmine Sheffield was a further eight metres away third.
Cullen Regent is trained by leading Clyde mentor Jayne Davies and is raced by a group, including John McLeish, Barry Thompson, Anthony Ferguson, Ken Derrick and Peter Robertson.
Bought for $50,000 at the APG Gold Yearling Sale in 2010, the youngster will be set on a path toward the Australasian Breeders Crown in August.
Racing returns to Cranbourne on 4 June – an evening meeting.