KEY POINTS:
A half-hearted trial against trotters is not usually an inspiring lead-up to a major pacing race but, for Monkey King, it is the one bright spot ahead of tonight's Kumeu Founders Cup.
The brilliant-but-flawed pacer could start favourite in tonight's $30,000 event at Alexandra Park but even those closest to him have no idea whether he will step away safely.
Monkey King might be the fastest pacer in the country but he keeps blowing his chances by galloping in standing start races, as he did in the Spring Cup two weeks ago.
He produced a stunning performance to catch the field and roar home for fifth but, at the elite level, bad manners equal bad results.
Almost in desperation, trainer-driver Steven Reid started Monkey King against the trotters at the Alexandra Park trials last week and was thrilled when he made a perfect beginning, only completing half the trial before Reid pulled him out.
"It was a bit unusual but I am adopting the theory the more standing start practice he has the better he has to get at it," said Reid.
That theory took a body blow on Wednesday, though, when Reid gave Monkey King a casual standing start at home and he blew it again.
"To be honest, we don't know what he is going to do this week," he admits.
"If he steps, I think he will win and I think I can step him, but who knows."
Trying to work out whether a horse will step away safely from a standing start is the greatest pain facing harness racing punters at this time of the season when almost all the lead-ups to the New Zealand Cup are from behind the tapes.
But if Monkey King is ever going to get it right, it should be tonight.
He will be alone wide on the track from his 10m handicap and will have plenty of time and room to get it right.
If he settles last, but not too far off key rival Sly Flyin, he can still win. But the huge risk involved means punters should be hoping for at least a $3.50 win dividend before entrusting their money to Monkey's mental frailty.
A more solid bet will be Sly Flyin, who seems to have completely grown out of his standing start woes, as you would expect from a horse almost old enough to vote.
He is getting better with age though, as he whipped many he meets tonight after trailing in the Spring Cup last start.
While he faces a 20m handicap tonight, he won this race off the same mark last season and the small field should ensure he doesn't get too far out of his ground.
"I think he can win because he is just racing and working fantastic," said trainer Michelle Wallis.
Mi Muchacho was second after leading in the Spring Cup and will appreciate the 2700m tonight so is a great each way chance, while punters should be willing to forgive Awesome Armbro, who was the beaten favourite in the Spring Cup.
He was knocked by a rival as the tapes were released last start and galloped, losing 30m.
He still worked his way into the one-one and only battled in the home straight but off the front tonight he could end up a long way in front of the other favourites.
If he can't win with a head start over the big three tonight, it is hard to see him winning the New Zealand Cup a month from tomorrow.
Power of Tara and Marika add to the depth of the field by stepping up to open class, but neither is likely to be at peak fitness tonight so may represent better place value.
