Take your pick - do you want to back the strongest horse in the race or the fastest.
That is the relatively simple equation facing punters in today's $100,000 Air New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington as harness racing's freight train Yulestar clashes with the rocket sled on rails who is Agua Caliente.
After his breathtaking world record in Tuesday's New Zealand Cup Yulestar would most years be rated a virtual certainty in today's 2000m sprint, in which cup winners have a superb record.
But Yulestar is not rated a cetainty and may even be pushed for favouritism by the enigmatic Agua Caliente.
The northern speed machine looked back to his supersonic best with an electrifying sprint in the junior free-for-all on Tuesday.
And he heads into today's feature with two major advantages. Firstly he has the gate speed to lead from barrier five. And secondly, and perhaps more importantly, he will not have to overcome the effects of a world record gutbuster on Tuesday like most of his rivals.
Driver Glen Wolfenden is happy with the way Agua Caliente has come through Tuesday's run and does not expect any problems with the lack of ability to back up that has dogged Agua Caliente in the past.
"It was only a sprint on Tuesday and he didn't have a hard run," said Wolfenden. "I am sure he will be fine for this race and the draws have definitely worked in our favour."
Agua Caliente has not been driven hard out of the gate for a long time but Wolfenden has indicated he will go forward and should have few problems finding the front.
That is where the interesting stuff will start.
Tony Shaw is also open about his tactics on Yulestar. He will press forward three wide and hopes to be able to pressure Agua Caliente for the lead by the bell.
If that happens Wolfenden can either choose to keep the front and leave Yulestar parked out or take the trail and wait for Addington's long passing lane to try to outsprint the cup winner.
That would provide a fascinating contest, the sheer brawn of Yulestar against a slingshotting Agua Caliente.
"I think if Agua Caliente got an easy time in front and they only go slow early then he may have too much speed for us at the end," said Shaw.
"But if we can put the pace on and keep pressing than maybe I can take the sting out of him."
Shaw does not believe Yulestar will feel any ill effects of Tuesday's race.
"When I saw him yesterday he was jumping around his paddock and looked great."
It is hard to envisage anything upsetting the two favourites after they were so dominant on Tuesday and the Free-For-All is not traditionally a race for upsets.
Bogan Fella was gallant when second on Tuesday but may lack the gate speed to stay handy. While the 2000m would not appear to suit him as well as the cup, he does hold the national 2200m record so if today's race turned into a slog he could be the miracle hope.
Talking about miracles, Holmes D G's trainer-driver Barry Purdon will have one on his mind today.
He has been told by New South Wales Harness Racing Club officials he needs a greatly improved performance from Holmes D G today for the gelding to be invited to defend his Miracle Mile title next Friday.
"I think you can forget Tuesday's run when he missed way and also had a flat tyre," said Purdon. "He will go a lot better today but faces a tough task from the outside draw."
Racing: Brawn v Slingshot
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