Racing: Kings clash at last

The only time the three kings of pacing have met was in a meaningless trial watched by just a few hundred people.

But while tonight's $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup could hardly be more of a contrast, a lesson learned in that trial could decide the outcome of the Alexandra Park classic.

Tonight's 2700m mobile will be the first time Auckland Reactor, Monkey King and Changeover have met in anger and they will dominate betting and almost certainly the race itself.

Their only other clash was in the New Zealand Cup trial in November, when Monkey King surprised many by holding Auckland Reactor out, with Changeover close up in third.

Even though he galloped away and gave the other pair a start, that trial was also the only time Auckland Reactor's trainer-driver Mark Purdon has been disappointed in the champ.

"I realised after that trial I needed to work him harder," said Purdon.

"I was still working him like a 3-year-old but, as an older horse, he can take, and needs, more."

So Purdon has rarely taken his foot off the accelerator with Auckland Reactor since.

He has travelled and raced extensively, showing mental and physical toughness to match his world-class motor. And tonight he will need all those attributes.

While pre-race predictions often combust in the heat of group one battle, it is impossible to envisage any other scenario than Monkey King (probably) or Changeover (possibly) leading once the field settles.

And while a charging Auckland Reactor might intimidate his way to the lead, such tactics did not seem part of Purdon's thinking this week.

So all things being equal, Auckland Reactor is probably going to have to sit parked outside one of the other two best pacers in the country to win.

Very few Auckland Cups are won by horses sitting parked. Then again, very few horses are as special as Auckland Reactor.

He sat parked to win the New Zealand Free-For-All in November and his competitive nature hits hyper-drive when he does things tough.

Still, Monkey King nearly beat him with a sit on his back at Cambridge in January and should cover a lot less ground tonight from the perfect draw.

So, if Auckland Reactor has to grind his way past possibly New Zealand's fastest pacer in Monkey King, why would the result be any different than in that trial in November?

"My horse is better now, a lot better," says Purdon matter-of-factly.

The draws mean Monkey King deserves second favouritism and he will get few better chances to win one of the big cups.

Changeover may be the second-best pacer in the country but has been plagued by blood complaints.

Back to his best he can win tonight but even a few per cent below perfect and he is running for place money.

The only other chance in the field is Awesome Armbro, who looks certain to be trailing or three deep doing no work and getting one last shot at the leaders as the outsiders begin to drop off.

He may not be able to win the Cup, but could be the best value place bet.

MY SELECTIONS
* AUCKLAND REACTOR
* MONKEY KING
* CHANGEOVER

$600,000 cup
* Auckland Reactor is the $1.40 favourite for the $600,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park tonight.
* Auckland Reactor, Monkey King and Changeover have never met in a race before.
* Monkey King has the best draw and is the logical danger to the champ.
* This is the richest night meeting held in New Zealand.