While the field is exceptional, it might be timely to reflect on the fact that the son of Christian Cullen is one of only three horses to ever finish in front of tomorrow night's favourite Mainland Banner.

The other two were Molly Darling, also engaged tomorrow night, and Mi Muchacho who caught the great mare with her guard down in the Auckland Cup that she should have won instead of being pipped.

Dudinka's Cullen, however, lost his decision over Mainland Banner in the Superstars because of rearranging the markers around the final turn.

The run, though, nevertheless underlined Dudinka's Cullen's class.

The brother to Great Northern Oaks winner Dudinka Star has been gradually brought up by Tim Butt after a luckless campaign in Australia.

Driver Anthony Butt takes up the Australian debacle: "He went good in the Gold Nuggets in Perth--he was going to get some of it on the last bend but was checked and broke.''

The horse, her added, was then tired on his return to Victoria and the best was not seen of him.

The trip away, however, will have served him well in a mental sense for his latest trip to Auckland for the Taylor Mile.

Dudinka's Cullen had been shaping well at trials before he won his last start at Addington Raceway. The horse has done well since that exertion that would have honed his edge.

Butt quashed any suggestions the horse would not be up to the class he would strike in the Taylor Mile and Messenger a week later.

"Don't forget he beat most of them in the Superstars--Mainland Banner is obviously the class horse but, if she has to do a bit of work, and some well drawn runner gets the sit and drop on her, then it could be interesting.''

Butt said the overall calibre of the field could not be doubted.

"There is a lot of depth in the race. Honestly, there are six or seven who could win with with the right trip--luck in the running will be crucial in the end.''

Butt is also driving Mountbatten and Presidential Dream for his brother Tim at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.

"Both are nice horses and are racing well--they are in with chances,'' driver Butt observed.