Racing: Gotta Go south in search of early-season riches

There is no rest for the wicked - or the exceptionally talented.

That is the case for outstanding young pacer Gotta Go Cullen, who will head south this weekend to chase another feature race win.

Last season's juvenile of the year was originally expected to miss the first major three-year-old race of the season, the Rising Stars at Addington next Friday, but trainer Sue Martin has changed her mind.

"I wasn't going to go down but he is doing so well we might as well," said Martin.

"He was jumping around his paddock last week after winning at Cambridge so we will be on the truck on Sunday."

Gotta Go Cullen has had the shortest of winter breaks after racing in the Breeders Crown series in Victoria, having just a week off before winning the first Sires' Stakes heat of the season nine days ago.

With the South Island three-year-old pacing crop looking even - but not especially strong - Gotta Go Cullen will simply intimidate most of his rivals in next Friday's group two race.

Martin is reluctant to base her superstar in the South Island until the Sires' Stakes Final on November 14 so Gotta Go Cullen will return home next weekend before travelling south again early in November.

He won't be short of northern back-up either at the Addington meeting, which launches the harness racing premier season.

Last season's Sales Series Pace winner Changeover will kick off his season in the Rising Stars while his stablemates Winforu and Metekhi will start in the other features at the meeting.

Winforu's gate speed could be a potent weapon in the Fitness Canterbury Pace, the race formerly known as the Nobilo while Metekhi will take on Tuherbs and possibly Pay Me Christian in the Superstars.

Most of the north's other leading pacers will race locally before flying to Christchurch for Cup week in early November.

While there will be plenty of northerners at Addington, this year's New Zealand Cup looks certain to go ahead without any Australian trained runners.

The Queensland-based McCarthy stable, which trains cup entrants Be Good Johnny, Cobbity Classic and Slipnslide, says all three are likely to miss the New Zealand Cup.

* South Auckland stud Woodlands will show off their new siring sensation Bettors Delight tomorrow.

The former champion pacer, who has made a huge impact in the North American stallions ranks this season, will be the centrepiece of the stud's open day which starts at 11am.