KEY POINTS:
Rival trainer Gareth Dixon has a warning for punters who think Gotta Go Cullen's bubble may have burst - he doesn't.
Dixon will line up his stable star Ebony Gem in tonight's $20,000 Northern Stakes at Alexandra Park and the classy colt could start favourite after edging Gotta Go Cullen in the Sires' Stakes last start.
On that occasion the pair fought out third and fourth after coming from back in the field while runaway leaders Changeover and Fergiemack quinellaed the race.
With Ebony Gem having improved so much this season and last season's freshman freak Gotta Go Cullen having only won once in his last six starts, many feel the 3-year-olds ranks are going through a changing of the guard.
But Dixon isn't quite so sure.
"I know some people are starting to doubt Gotta Go Cullen but I am not one of them," he said of his main rival tonight.
"His run in the Sires' Stakes was enormous, even though he only finished fourth.
"He had to come from one on the second line, was three wide on a national record time and still beat most of the field home.
"So he is going to be very hard for us to beat tonight."
Like Gotta Go Cullen, Ebony Gem has had an easy time since the Sires' Stakes Final on November 14 but thrilled his trainer with how he handled the race and trip to Addington.
"He has really matured with the whole experience.
"He has always been a picky eater but has been really getting into his food now so I am sure the trip has been the making of him."
Ebony Gem has emerged from the second tier of juveniles last season to be rated in the big four now and with the advantage of a handy barrier is favoured to beat Gotta Go Cullen again tonight.
"I think he is forward enough to win, even though he will improve a bit with the run.
"He hasn't had many good draws before so we don't know too much about his gate speed but I am sure it is there if Fergy wants to use it.
"The good thing about him is he doesn't have to go forward, he can win from anywhere because he is such a well-mannered horse."
Gotta Go Cullen may have drawn the outside of the front line but the small field will help him to get handy and he will appreciate the 2200m distance more than most.
At his peak he would be the one to beat but after suffering a minor injury at Addington he is likely to still be a week or two away from his crushing best.
Two interesting starters are Days Of Courage and Another Creation.
Days Of Courage is a gutsy little colt who may start to find life harder from now on unless he develops further but there's no doubting his courage or gate speed.
Another Creation is a completely different type of pacer, all long-striding speed but still with plenty to learn.
He has pleased trainer Mark Purdon since his win in the Sires' Stakes Silver at Ashburton and could be a big mover in the crop over the summer.
While Dixon opts for Ebony Gem as the best chance of his strong representation at tonight's meeting, he also rates Maheer Dream (race six) and Tuffery (race eight) as good each-way chances.
Both returned to the track with sound placings last Friday and Maheer Dream in particular looks in for a big season.
"I thought he was really good last week considering he needed the run," said Dixon.
"This week's race carries a Harness Plus bonus so we'd love to win it and I think he can.
"He has some gate speed so should be handy enough and I think he is the one Retail Therapy has to beat."
Tuffery meets easier opposition tonight than he did when third last Friday and will appreciate the 2700m so is a must for those chasing the $100,000 Pick6.
The anchor for Pick6 punters must be exceptional trotting mare Our Sunny Whiz in race nine.
She overcame losing 40m in an early galloped to whip most of this field last Friday and only bad manners or a below par performance could see her beaten.
