Racing: Tactical battle at Cambridge

Tintin In America faces Highview Tommy and Sleepy Tripp at Cambridge tonight. Photo / Alan Gibson

The early moves in an intriguing game of equine chess could decide tonight's $55,000 Futurity Stakes at Cambridge.

Whichever of Mark Purdon's high-class pair of Highview Tommy and Sleepy Tripp settles handier will hold the advantage over racing rocket Tintin In America in the event.

Tintin In America will be favourite in the 2700m standing start group two feature after two stunning wins this campaign, including his latest victory under similar conditions on this track.

On that occasion, albeit racing greatly inferior horses, he came from near last at the 400m in a capacity field to win courtesy of a dazzling sprint.

It is performances like that and his Australasian Breeders Crown win in August that suggest Tintin In America may be the only pacer in the country with a sprint to match Monkey King.

But like many of the stock of McArdle, he has been vulnerable when asked to work or lead in his races, so driver David Butcher will be looking to give him the perfect trip following the right horse tonight.

And in a six-horse field that means the race could become extremely tactical.

Even more so because Mark Purdon trains the two other big names in the race and believes whichever of his pair gets close to the lead first holds the ace card.

"The start is going to be crucial," said Purdon.

"Because I don't think a horse racing in the running line with Tintin In America on his back can win, he is just too fast.

"If either of mine step well then I'd like to see them in front, because that is the best place to be at Cambridge.

"And that gives you the best chance of getting a break at the right time on Tintin In America."

So which one is more likely to do so, and therefore be the better bet?

"I honestly don't know," says the champion trainer.

"Highview Tommy is good from a stand but is off 30m, whereas Sleepy Tripp is only off 20m.

"There isn't a lot between them but maybe because of the handicaps Sleepy Tripp has more chance of being a couple of horses in front of Tintin In America.

"But small fields like this can be very tricky and I think the favourite will be really hard to beat because he can't be too far off us turning for home."

Many punters will share that opinion and Tintin In America will start favourite, but Sleepy Tripp looks the best chance of downing him.

There has not been much between him and Highview Tommy this season and unless the latter makes a flyer early he could be at a decent tactical disadvantage.

While Purdon doesn't really know what to expect in tonight's feature, he is far more confident about the outcome of the first two races.

He trains and will drive I Can Doosit (race one) and Touch Of Silver (race two) and expects both to win.

"It wasn't really I Can Doosit's fault he galloped early last start because another horse inside him galloped and I asked my fella for a bit too much to get clear of the galloper.

"Once he settled he went a big race and he is a decent horse in this grade."

Touch Of Silver has been racing in far stronger fields than he meets in race two and looks suited by the draw and the distance.

"He will be really hard to beat because I think he can lead."

The danger there should be Franco Nouvel, who has a big motor and would appreciate a hot pace.

Purdon's other runner tonight, Shesachristian, will start in the handicap pace instead of her earlier mobile engagement but Purdon was disappointed by her performance last start and she deserves to be at good money tonight.

FUTURITY BATTLE

* A small but select field contests the $55,000 Futurity at Cambridge tonight.
* Tintin In America will be favourite after two flashing recent wins.
* But in-form Purdon stablemates Highview Tommy and Sleepy Tripp can challenge him in a tactical race.
* Purdon rates I Can Doosit and Touch Of Silver as big winning chances tonight.