Racing: Butcher seeks perfect plan to upstage Aussie pair in Crown

David Butcher knows anything less than a perfect drive won't be good enough for Tintin In America to topple two of the superstars of Australian pacing tomorrow.

The Waikato reinsman will steer Harness Jewels winner Tintin In America in his divisional final of the Australasian Breeders Crown at Tabcorp Park, outside Melbourne.

And that means he find himself the meat in a sandwich between the two highest-rated young pacers in Australia - Captain Joy and Bonavista Bay.

Captain Joy has dominated the Australian 3-year-old season and has the benefit of an ideal front-line draw in what is the most eagerly anticipated race on the star-studded A$1.55 million programme.

But Bonavista Bay has enormous wraps on him, with some in his camp rating him superior to their former open-class heroes Safari and Robin Hood.

With Captain Joy the likely leader and Bonavista Bay likely to sit parked outside him, a position from which he crushed his semifinal rivals, the pair are expected to stage an epic battle.

But Butcher, one of the most successful New Zealand reinsmen in Australia in the last 20 years, thinks he can rain on their much-hyped parade.

Tintin In America paced a sizzling 55.3 second last 800m coming wide to finish second to Captain Joy in their semifinal last Friday, suggesting he is back to his Harness Jewels-winning form.

"They are both very good horses but I think I have enough speed to get them if things go well," said Butcher.

"But they will need to work out almost perfect.

"I think Captain Joy will lead and Bonavista Bay will end up parked, so I wouldn't mind following Captain Joy through at the start and trying to get the one-one on the back of the other horse.

"If that happens we can beat them, but put us one spot back and we probably can't.

"I know races don't always work out how you think, but looking back at last week's semis I think being on Bonavista Bay's back at some stage is our best, and maybe only, hope."

So if Tintin In America isn't able to grab his third career group one victory tomorrow, which one of the Aussie stars does Butcher think will take out the prize?

"If Captain Joy hops straight to the front, and I think he might, then he will probably win."

Butcher will also partner outsider Zenstar in the 2-year-old fillies final and All Tiger in the A$60,000 free-for-all.

"Zenstar was all right last week but she has got a tough draw and Lady Belladonna was very good winning her semi last week," says Butcher.

"But I think All Tiger could be a chance. Things never went his way and he wasn't happy at Harold Park last time but he is better than that and has an ideal draw.

"And I think the bigger track will suit him."

THE KIWI CONTENDERS
analysis by Michael Guerin

Race One A163,000 2-year-old trot

Tuhimata Glass (2): Highly talented and would have won the Jewels but for an early break. Has our best driver in the sulky and only needs to behave to be the one to beat.
Landoras Pearl: Professional filly who beat some of Victoria's best last start. Has the manners to use her draw and good each way chance with Gavin Lang driving.

Race Six A$170,000 3-year-old filly pace

Our Imagine Me: Good stayer but has looked a little one-paced during this campaign. Pace should be on in even final so gets her chance but place bet looks best.

Race Seven A$311,000 2-year-old male pace

Smiling Shard: Has been awesome since autumn and thrashed half of these in semifinal here last week. Only need a pinch of luck from second line. Odds will be boosted by co-mingling pool.

Race Eight A$170,000 3-year- old male pace

Tintin In America: Harness Jewels winner who looked back to that form with fast-finishing second to favourite Captain Joy last Friday. Will need everything to go his way but if it does he can upset big guns at big money.

Race Nine A$311,000 2-year-old filly pace

Flying Pocketlands: Very good season in New Zealand but only battled after perfect run in her semifinal. Can go close if she bounces back to her best but needs to bounce a long way, especially against Lady Belladonna.
Zenstar: Handy third in the weaker of the two semis last Friday but again had perfect run. From wide barrier a top five finish would be a good effort.