KEY POINTS:
Auckland Cup winner Gotta Go Cullen was the only superstar to put a foot wrong as the first steps on the road to the New Zealand Cup were taken yesterday.
The seven favourites for the $1.2 million Cup all made their first public appearances of the season, with the big five trialling at Alexandra Park in preparation for the Spring Cup to be run there on September 26.
At Ashburton, the south's two biggest Cup hopes, Report For Duty and Tribute, were also on show, with Report For Duty an easy winner.
But it was the northern workout which attracted the most interest and the 2700m event went pretty much to plan - except for Gotta Go Cullen.
The Messenger Pace hero paraded looking even bigger and stronger than last season but galloped away from the standing start and again later in the workout won by Awesome Armbro.
The performance mirrored one he produced when fresh up for Tony Herlihy on raceday last season, suggesting yesterday's problems were mental and not physical. "It is nothing to worry about," said Herlihy.
"He was just a bit fresh and wanted to get on with the job so that should calm him down and improve him a lot."
Gotta Go Cullen may have finished last in the workout but he would have won the equine Mr Universe title as he has stacked muscle onto his large frame and has developed a real stallion's neck.
But he will have some fitness ground to make up on Awesome Armbro for the Spring Cup, which is shaping as one of the most anticipated open class season launches at Alexandra Park for a decade.
While the Spring Cup in two weeks will contain the five biggest names in pacing, Awesome Armbro must be the early favourite judging by yesterday's performance.
He showed good manners to step well and then take the lead off stablemate Changeover before cruising home to win by a half length, pacing his final sectionals in 56.9 seconds, his last 400m in 28.2.
While the overall time was only a respectable 3:30.6, Awesome Armbro looks very forward and sharp and easily put two lengths on stablemate Changeover at the 400m mark when the pair sprinted.
But Changeover still pleased trainer Geoff Small and at this very early stage he has two horses heading in the right direction.
Rival trainer Steven Reid was left with the same feeling about Baileys Dream and Monkey King, but for differing reasons.
Baileys Dream wasn't asked for his best when an easy third and looks strong, while Monkey King pleased Reid simply by stepping away from the start safely.
"I was thrilled to see him get away because, as we all know, that is half the battle with him," said Reid.
"But I think Bailey is more forward and Sam [Monkey King] might be the one who goes into the Spring Cup needing a run."
