Tintin In America is the best horse in the Taylor Mile but needs strong pace
He should be renamed Tintin The Tightrope Walker.
And the question for punters eyeing up the favourite in tonight's $100,000 Woodlands Taylor Mile is just where Tintin In America will sit on that tightrope in the 1700m thriller?
During his entire career, Tintin In America has raced on a fine line between dazzling brilliance and punting disaster.
As arguably New Zealand's fastest pacer over 400m he can do jaw-dropping things when the tempo of the race and his position in the field suit.
Under those circumstance he is a Sires' Stakes Final, Jewels and Australasian Breeders Crown winner.
However, because driver David Butcher knows the 4-year-old's flying hooves are not yet attached to a fully matured and battle-hardened body, the sit-sprint approach can cost him races. Three times this season alone he has flown home in races only to finish the narrowest of seconds, one of those being the Auckland Cup.
The only certainty in the Taylor Mile is that Tintin In America will take punters for a walk along that tightrope again tonight.
From barrier three on the second line the best he can hope for is to be handy on the outer and over 1700m if a top horse like Bonavista Bay leads and gets an easy time, running him down may be impossible.
Or if the three-wide line starts to move early - which is very likely - Butcher will need to be in the right place at the right time.
One horse too far back, or forced out too early to race three wide and the best horse in tonight's race could have his weaknesses exposed. That is life on the tightrope with Tintin.
And trainer Geoff Small admits he has been walking a slightly different tightrope with the stallion.
After the Auckland Cup, he had an easy time and has not trialled since, Small trying to keep him fresh for tonight's race but also with gas in the tank for the Messenger next week and Jewels in five weeks.
"So he is going in here with a bit of improvement in him," said Small.
"He worked very well on Sunday but he is always capable of winning but also always capable of getting beaten if the trip doesn't suit.
"So I am hopeful but not getting over confident."
Because the draw means Tintin In America is not master of his own fate the Taylor contains many chances, providing punters with some value.
Bonavista Bay is not a natural miler but if he produces his best and can lead he will take an enormous amount of catching.
Sleepy Tripp is again more noted as a stayer but the Taylor is often won by a pacer who can prolong his sprint, so from a wide draw he could represent each way value.
Harley Earl could get a cosy run three deep in the markers, while Auditor General could lead or trail, so often a recipe for sprint-race success at Alexandra Park.
Second Wind has gate speed and looks likely to run a wicked 1700m while Captain Joy is a superstar at his best and could have started favourite from a good draw.
From the outside of the second line he will have few Kiwi punters in his corner and could start close to $12, even allowing for the co-mingled pool.
The Taylor will, as usual, be about tempo and luck. If Tintin In America has those go his way he could do something special.
If he doesn't, one of the great races of the season will become one of the trickiest puzzles.
TAYLOR MILE
* Tintin In America is the favourite for the $100,000 Woodlands Taylor Mile.
* The great race is the highlight of a stunning premier night at Alexandra Park.
* Tintin In America faces a potentially tricky draw.
* The trotters, headed by dual Interdom champion Sundon's Gift, provide two other enormous battles tonight.
