By Michael Guerin
A mile may not be Holmes D G's favourite distance but don't let that put you off backing him at Alexandra Park tonight.
Because while the Taylor Mile is New Zealand's best mile race it has attracted an outstanding field - of stayers.
Not one of the nine starters has won a mile race. In fact, between them they have totalled only five starts over the sprint distance, for five placings.
Which has to work in Holmes D G's favour. He will be completing a tough week, having only arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday after his gutsy Chariots Of Fire victory at Harold Park last Friday night.
"He has come through it very well and he will be spot on for tomorrow night," said trainer Barry Purdon yesterday.
While Holmes D G will have to give his rivals a start from the second line, his fate could have been a lot worse.
Firstly, as the only pacer on the second line he won't be forced down on to the markers, so Purdon should be able to decide who to follow soon after the start.
But more importantly the race lacks any brilliant speedsters who could explode to the front and leave Holmes D G needing to run a record time to justify his favouritism.
Unusually for a major mile race there are no really fast beginners - with the possible exception of London Pride, whose early speed could be negated by his wide draw.
With the Alexandra Park mile start point being trickily close to a bend, Holmes D G's most favoured rivals, Homin Hosed and Yulestar, are going to be hard pressed trying to get the front to put the pressure on.
Homin Hosed's driver Todd Mitchell admits he is in a quandary as to early race tactics.
"My horse has no real gate speed but over a mile you can't pull back to last so I just have to hope the inside horses sort their positions out early and then I can put my horse into the race," said Mitchell.
That means Homin Hosed is likely to have to make a run
three wide with a lap to go, which could end up giving Holmes D G the perfect trail into the race.
While Homin Hosed has developed into a courageous and classy animal he does not have the ping of Holmes D G and if the pair are close at the top of the straight the latter is favoured to outsprint him.
The enigma in the race is Yulestar. The giant-striding pacer only really flops out of the gate but if driver Tony Shaw gets serious he may be able to lead in a race that has in the past notoriously favoured those who lead or trail.
While the Taylor Mile is tonight's feature, Purdon could be excused for being a little more anxious over a stable debutante an hour later.
It has been only two weeks since Purdon took over the training of exceptional trotting talent Mountain Gold, after a syndicate paid over $150,000 for him.
Considering Purdon has been in Sydney most of that time the pair haven't had much of a chance to get used to each other but Purdon is sure of one thing.
"He is a very good horse. He will be hard to beat in any race he starts in, including this one," said Purdon.
Mountain Gold only has to step safely to be the one to
beat in tonight's City Of Sails Trot, with his racing style perfectly suited to 2200m.
But he has been an expensive failure after early mistakes in the past and could be worth betting against if his odds get too short in an outstanding field.
While many of those in the race will need tonight's run, their first since the Interdoms, one who looks suited to the 2200m stand is Sunny Action, a fine sprinting mare with the draw to be handy throughout.
Southerners Sundowner Bay and Solar Fire are also
serious chances with the aid of recent race fitness while National Interest will be a sentimental favourite for many industry followers.
His greatest supporter, popular Melbourne owner and punter Ron Riseley, passed away on Monday. Riseley's brother Kevin heads the syndicate which own National Interest and Ron was struck down by illness when in Auckland to watch National Interest race in the Inters.
Horse racing: Star too quick for stayers
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