Racing: Australians dominate Cup

Washakie might not win tonight's $400,000 Auckland Cup but he could win it for a few of his rivals.

The greatly-travelled former New Zealand pacer holds the key to the 2700m thriller and looks most likely to hand victory to Themightyquinn.

Washakie is so important to the chances of a host of his rivals after drawing barrier one, from where most expect him to lead at least for the first lap. If he does lead, and he showed high gate speed on his way to winning at Melton last start, he is almost certain to give the perfect trail to race favourite Themightyquinn.

That will perfectly suit the Perth pacer who loves an easy trip off a hot speed and has an explosive finish.

"When we drew nine I was happy, but when Washakie drew one I was thrilled," said Themightyquinn's driver Gary Hall.

The last time Themightyquinn had a soft trail in a major staying race he blew his rivals away in the Cranbourne Cup in December.

If Washakie leads and gets Themightyquinn to the passing lane the latter should win because as good as the opposition is tonight none of them is five lengths better than Themightyquinn, which they will need to be if he trails throughout.

While the connections of Washakie expect him to lead, they haven't seen the raw gate speed of Five Star Anvil, the 100-1 outsider of the race.

He is probably the fastest beginner in New Zealand and with gate speed on his outside from Pembrook Benny, De Lovely and, of course, Auckland Reactor, there could be some intense early pressure. If Five Star Anvil, Pembrook Benny or De Lovely happen to work their way to the lead then they would all almost certainty hand up to Auckland Reactor and then we have a totally different Cup to enjoy.

That would suit the hard, old boys drawn out the back, horses like Mr Feelgood and Monkey King.

They have been in these battles so many times before and a torrid early burn could see them slide around the field economically before the bell and put paid to the leaders.

That would be perfect for them, a nightmare for Themightyquinn.

Mr Feelgood is the most likely beneficiary of such a scenario as he has been the best overall pacer in Australasia this season, with his Victoria Cup win a thing of beauty.

"I think Washakie will lead and maybe stay there but I think I can sit outside him the last lap and beat him," said Luke McCarthy, who, along with father John, trains both horses.

Whether he can sit outside Washakie and still hold off Themightyquinn is another matter, but that does raise one other scenario punters should run their mental calculator over before they bet tonight.

What if Washakie leads and hands up mid-race to a charging Mr Feelgood? If that happens the superstar could add another Cup to his bulging trophy cabinet.

Either way the Australians have the Cup at their mercy, with Monkey King, Power Of Tara, Stunin Cullen and Auckland Reactor all having reasons they can win and reasons you don't want to back them. Stunin Cullen would enjoy an early burn as he is likely to settle back, while Monkey King would like the race to turn into a last-man standing brawl.

But what their connections want to eventuate and what is likely to happen are two different things so the best bets are Themightyquinn and Mr Feelgood.

CUP SELECTIONS

* Themightyquinn.
*Mr Feelgood.
*Monkey King.