OFFTOCULLECT 1ST FOR SIRE
Offtocullect _ who came from the outside of the back row to credit Gotta Go Cullect with his first siring win at Forbury Park on Thursday, March 8 _ will be given time to mature by trainer Mark Jones.
“He’s a nice tough two-year-old, but at this stage we’ll give him a break,” Mark said of the winning debutante.
“There’s been a bit of interest in him, so he may be sold.”
Offtocullect, after improving mid-race to lead over the last lap, was under seige from a sprint lane run by trailer Ahorsewithnoname in the run home, but stuck his neck out tenaciously to hold in 2:47.3 (2:02.3 mile rate) for the mobile 2200m.
The winner, sent to the Jones barn after being developed by Redwood horseman Wayne Higgs, quickened over his last 800m in 59.2s and final 400m in 29.2s.
Offtocullect is only the fourth to race from young sire Gotta Go Cullect (p2, 1:57 mile rate, 1700m), who had a promising career for Sue Martin cut short by injury, after winning four of five 2YO starts, then one of four at three.
Gotta Go Cullect, by top racehorse and sire Christian Cullen (p4, 1:54.1, $1.24 miilion), is from the extremely tough Live Or Die filly Elect To Live, who won 19 of 35 starts for $577,992, the 2002 NZ Pacer of the Year.
Elect To Live (p3, 1:55.5), who numbered wins in the NZ, Northern and NSW Oaks, also beat the colts in an Australian Derby, and was voted 2002 Australian 3YO Pacer of the Year.
Offtocullect is from Shazza’s Dream, a sister to former star 2YO Marika (1:57.2, 11 wins & $275,155).
Shazza’s Dream (Pacific Rocket-Rush Machine), who qualified and raced only once, left winner Westerly Wind (by Western Terror) first-up, while her second foal Els Dream has qualified. Offtocullect is her third foal.