KEY POINTS:
Finally something has gone right at Harold Park for Todd Mitchell.
The Cambridge horseman has given up a stellar book of drives at Alexandra Park this week to head to the Sydney track to partner Gotta Go Cullen in the A$100,000 ($111,000) New South Wales Derby.
And he
feels far more comfortable with the decision after the Kiwi colt drew ideally at barrier three in the classic.
Mitchell was stunned when Gotta Go Cullen's trainer, Sue Martin, decided last Thursday to launch the lightning raid on the Derby.
He had already committed to drives on Braig, Mi Muchacho, Dux and Australian mare All Promises, all of whom compete in feature races at Alexandra Park on Friday.
"I was surprised more than anything else but the bottom line is you don't get the chance to win a New South Wales Derby every day," said Mitchell.
"But I was really relieved when trainers like Stephen Doody [Braig and Dux] said they were happy to put somebody else on this week.
"It means I will still be on Braig in the Rowe Cup the following week and I think he can win that."
Mitchell's decision could have been expensive had Gotta Go Cullen drawn poorly, especially if Australian hero Lombo Pocket Watch drew to lead. But it worked out perfectly, with Gotta Go Cullen likely to start from barrier three and Lombo Pocket Watch one on the second line.
"The draw is great because he has the gate speed to use it," said Mitchell.
"Being such a long strider I'd love to get him to the front because that is where he will handle the track best."
While many Kiwi pacers get lost early when racing in Australia because the local horses have so much gate speed, Mitchell says that is not a concern.
"Since I have been driving him he has always had hopple shorteners in and he has left the gate very fast.
"They will be the last thing I check before I jump in the cart on Friday night."
Gotta Go Cullen may have hit some flat spots this season but his last-start win against class older opponents at Alexandra Park was one of the best performances of his career.
And he has already proven he can beat Lombo Pocket Watch, easily downing him in a heat of the Woodlands Northern Derby in February.
With Lombo Pocket Watch surprisingly beaten in his prelude last Friday and Gotta Go Cullen drawn to lead, the Kiwi pacer could well press for favouritism.
Victory in the Derby would be the first time Mitchell, who has won so many group ones in New Zealand, has even placed in a Sydney race.
"I've only driven there twice and finished last with Just An Excuse in the Miracle Mile after drawing wide, while Baileys Dream wasn't at his best when I drove him in the Derby there," said Mitchell.
"But I think this is my best chance of getting a good win on the track."
* Champion pacer Changeover will need to overcome a tricky draw to maintain his winning streak at Invercargill on Saturday.
The dual Derby winner will start from the inside of the second line in the $50,000 Southern Supremacy Stakes over the mobile 2700m.
NSW Derby
* New Zealand pacer Gotta Go Cullen has drawn perfectly in Friday's New South Wales Derby.
* He goes into the race with a stunning last-start win at Alexandra Park to his name.
* His driver, Todd Mitchell, has never driven a winner in Sydney.
* Champion pacer Changeover has drawn awkwardly in Saturday's Southern Supremacy Stakes.