KEY POINTS:
Don't let a bit of fat put you off backing Gotta Go Cullen at Alexandra Park tonight.
Last season's Juvenile of the Year meets Great Northern Derby rivals St Barts and Montecito in tonight's feature race and it could be a case of looks proving deceiving.
Gotta Go Cullen has not raced for nearly two months, the longest break of his career, and has clearly been enjoying his summer holiday.
"He had two and a half weeks in the paddock and really put the condition on," said trainer Sue Martin.
"He is very big at the moment and will improve with the run but I wouldn't be surprised if he came out and went a big race."
Martin bases that opinion on a workout Gotta Go Cullen produced at the beach last week.
"It was as quick as he has ever gone so he will be fit, it is just a matter of whether he is fit enough."
Martin admits she was not expecting tonight's class 2-3 sixth race to contain quite as many class 3-year-olds.
"That will mean he has to race up to something like his best to win because there are some fast horses on the front line."
Tonight's race is important for Gotta Go Cullen as it will be his last before the preludes of the Woodlands Stud Derby in two weeks.
After looking a freshman freak last season Gotta Go Cullen's reputation has taken some knocks, with bad luck and poor draws erasing much of his fear factor.
Victory tonight would be timely as some respect from rival drivers will come in handy during the very strong Derby series.
For all his stamina reserves he is going to need some luck against St Barts and particularly Montecito, both of whom have been in fantastic form over the summer.
"They are very good horses and with them in the race I was at one stage wondering whether we were best to wait back and have one last run at them or go early. But I have been thinking that horses don't learn anything sitting back, we have to teach them to be tough like the Australian horses. So I'll be happy to see him put in the race."
While Martin is looking forward to seeing her pride and joy back on the track she is not so confident with the three juveniles she will take to the races, even though Idler will be heavily backed in the colts event.
He has looked very smart in two outings, finishing a gallant second both times, but has had his setbacks since.
"He got a little infection from a tic and it really bothered him.
"I think he is a really good horse and he can work the sort of times on the beach that the big horse [Gotta Co Cullen] did last season.
"But he might be a bit below his best tonight."
Martin also has Rhonite Lives in the same race and believes he is as good as his stablemate but without the brains.
"At least I am lining my 2-year-olds up. I can understand where they all are. People pay big money for them at the sales and then we hardly see them racing.
"I've got a little filly called Live To Boogy in race five and she may not be that good yet but she does everything right and I want to line her up because that is what she is a racehorse for."
