Agua Caliente will miss yet another Cup but this time it isn't his fault.
The speed machine has been handicapped by a lack of open class racing in the north and trainer Peter Wolfenden has decided his stable star will not be fit enough for the gutbusting 3200m of the New Zealand Cup on November 14.
His withdrawal continues a shocking run for Agua Caliente when aimed at major Cup races but doesn't mean Agua Caliente will be missing from the Cup meeting altogether.
Wolfenden has instead set him for the $100,000 New Zealand Free-For-All on November 17, a race he can tackle without hard lead-up racing.
"There weren't the races around up here to get him ready and we didn't want to float him south because he is not a good traveller," said Wolfenden.
"But we can still get him ready for the free-for-all with a few trials."
"The free-for-all could be a good race for him because a few of his rivals might be a bit tired after the Cup three days earlier."
Open class trotting stablemate Natural Glow, who resumes at Alexandra Park on Friday night, will not be heading to Addington.
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While Agua Caliente will miss the Cup, the chances Stars And Stripes will contest it are growing.
Last season's Pacer of the Year will trial at Addington today in preparation for the $35,000 Ashburton Flying Stakes on Monday.
The four-time Derby winner is still only class nine and would need to win either that race or the Kaikoura Cup a week later to make the New Zealand Cup field.
But the fact trainer John Lischner is willing to start him fresh-up in the Flying Stakes indicates the Cup is still a possibility.
Stars And Stripes won his first workout this season at Ashburton last week.
The Flying Stakes brings together the best Cup lead-up field so far this season, with locals Stars And Stripes, The Tough Nut and Happy Asset joined by northern raiders Yulestar, Facta Non Verba, Bogan Fella and Ouch. The latter must win to have any chance of making the Cup field.
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The Australian invasion on Addington was weakened slightly yesterday when Atitagain was ruled out of the New Zealand Cup.
He looked to have sealed a trip to the Cup by winning at Canberra on Sunday but has suffered a minor setback and miss Friday night's $A100,000 Queensland Pacing Championship as well as the New Zealand Cup.
Trainer Dennis Wilson is still confident of bringing Zyuganov Leis to Addington for the Cup after the gelding won at Bulli on Monday.
Addington officials have already guaranteed Victorian pacer Breeny's Fella and Major Bid starts in the Cup and Zyuganov Leis may need to win the Kilmore Cup in a fortnight to force his way into the Addington field.
Atitagain's withdrawal leaves 23 horses chasing the 15 Cup positions.
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Courage Under Fire has had an early boost to his chances of chalking up another win in his first serious test since becoming an Australian.
The former Kiwi pacing hero is rated a $2.30 favourite for Friday night's Queensland Pacing Championships on the Gold Coast even after drawing the second line.
His chances have been aided though by second favourite Safe And Sound having to travel to Queensland by road from Victoria.
"That didn't really suit us but we couldn't get a flight. Still, he has settled in well and we will give Courage Under Fire plenty to think about," said trainer John Justice.
The race is the first leg of the Grand Circuit and also features Tailamade Lombo and Justice Prevails.
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Lyell Creek's bid to smash the national trotting mile record is right on track.
The champ has drawn well at barrier five for Monday's $25,000 Flying Mile at Ashburton is which he will attempt to break the record of 1:57.4.
"That is an ideal draw and providing the weather is good I think he will trot at least 1:56," said owner Graham Bruton.
Lyell Creek's trainer Tim Butt has also added another budding trotting star to his team in Take A Moment.
He has been slaughtering lower grade fields at Addington and looks open class material.
He was sold to the US but when that deal fell through a syndicate of Butt's owners stepped in to purchase the gelding.
Take A Moment will make his stable debut at the Cup meeting.
Racing: Agua Caliente out as Stars And Stripes flies
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