Pacing Cup shapes a tactical torment for key players as four runners dispute favouritism for WA’s biggest race

Now seasoned talent Pinny Tiger holds all the aces for Friday’s Group 1 $450,000 TABtouch WA Pacing Cup (2536m), yet faces a torturous tactical dilemma for WA’s most revered pacing race: Stick or twist? WA’s fastest beginner from behind the mobile, from gate one, trainer Michael Brennan and reinsman Chris Voak have the luxury (and agony) of choosing whether to attempt an all-the-way win or taking a trail on another favoured runner and praying on a late, ambushing split. Despite being beaten in his most recent two assignments, Pinny Tiger could hardly have done more. Over-racing and finishing off with enough zest to assure supporters he’s “on song” two starts ago, he supplemented that with a brave fourth after disputing the early lead and making an early and injurious error at his most recent outing. He was ordered to trials for the blunder and satisfied stewards with a coasting success, polishing his performance with a rapid 26.8 second final quarter to flash his feathers for good measure. Despite conjecture of his vulnerability, only six starts ago did Pinny Tiger lead and beat a high-class line-up over 2536m in the Nullarbor Consolation in a zippy 1:55.6 mile rate. The inexorable bottom line is he can lead if he wants. But that won’t stop others testing his fortitude. Like Penelope fending off the suitors of Ithaca, Pinny Tiger will have Minstrel (barrier two), Jumpingjackmac (four) and/or Mister Smartee (five) falling over themselves to be first in line to gain the coveted role of pacemaker. Minstrel is the reliable hard nut of the field, who thrived on a rigorous racing pattern when establishing himself back among WA’s leading pacers with robust performances late last year and earlier this annum. After a near six-month break, the gutsy gelding sustained a long run in the James Brennan and eventually emptied out to finish ninth. Nearly a month on and after a minor setback, the seven-year-old has his first run since and must immediately be at his best in order to ward off the early attentions of Hall Snr’s star duo. Jumpingjackmac, a perennial bridesmaid in big-race company, showed glimpses of his best form when sticking on for a gallant second in the J P Stratton behind Mister Smartee. Despite never winning a Group 1, Jumpingjackmac has amazingly finished second in six of them, including twice in this very race. And, in typical style, his campaign has been overshadowed by the blinding light of his younger, highly-touted supernova of a stablemate Mister Smartee. The four-year-old has shot on the scene, winning 13 of 15 career starts and being unbeaten in FFA company with victories in the two $100,000 lead-up events. But on both of those occasions, he’s drawn gate two and zoomed to the lead before controlling the affair and winning as he liked. Whilst it’s not out of the question that he could pepper his way to the prime position again, it won’t come as easily, and after spending weeks as the standout market selection for the race, he’s now got company at the top. He and Minstrel are $4.20 TABtouch elects, while Pinny Tiger and Eastern raider Captain Ravishing share the honour of co-favouritism at $4. Captain Ravishing, who at one time was regarded as Im Themightyquinn or Lazarus reincarnate, had his star obscured in the thunderstorm that is Leap To Fame, who showed him up to become perhaps the greatest harness horse seen in the Southern Hemisphere. After a year in the wilderness, the flashy bay resumed in September with two successes at Geelong and Melton before again being outshone by champion brothers Leap To Fame and Swayzee. But at his Gloucester Park debut only seven days ago, the twinkles that made him so widely discussed and admired were back on show when comfortably handling some of WA’s best pacers. With at least a handful of realistic winning chances, the contest shapes as being one of the most competitive and exciting at Perth’s pacing headquarters in available memory. + Ascot’s Group 2 $300,000 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) is a similarly open event, with just 20 cents separating the top three in the betting. Last-start winner Comfort Me, who rebounded into the winners’ circle for the first time in almost three years, heads the call at $4 after defying running down in that Eurythmic Stakes. Strong-closing third Magnificent Andy, who was doing his best work through the line to be beaten less than a length-and-a-half, shares the second line of betting with Searchin’ Roc’s at $4.20. Searchin’ Roc’s was fifth behind the two after treading a wide passage but once more has been dealt a blow by coming up with the widest gate (11). Ageless veteran Valour Road ($9) is next ahead of Parnham’s Group-class glories in Zipaway ($9.50) and Bustler ($11). Zipaway, scratched from last week to be preserved for this, has had two sufficient trials, while last year’s Railway Stakes king Bustler is sure to be improved from his first-up 11th in the Eurythmic.