Harness racing’s speed machine is going to be stuck in neutral for a big longer.  Tintin In America is almost certain to miss the first open class race of the northern season, the Spring Cup at Alexandra Park on September 24.  And that could start a condensed New Zealand Cup build-up for the superstar.  Tintin In America has not been rushed back into work by trainer Geoff Small after a very busy second half of the season.

And while he didn’t start back racing until Christmas, he did run second in the Auckland Cup, smashed the national 2700m mobile record in the Messenger and won the Harness Jewels.
The NZ Cup is still his main aim, but Small is mindful that Grand Circuit races also beckon as well as an Addington Inter-Dominion starting in March. “He has plenty of options later in the season so I don’t want to rush him,” said Small.   “He is still very much on target for the Cup, but I think I can have him ready for that with two or three races and maybe the Cup Trial.”

Tintin In America is likely to trial in around three weeks, and by missing the Spring Cup his first start for the season should be at Alexandra Park on October 8.  “All going well then I could fly him south for the Flying Stakes at Ashburton.”  Small would then have the option of giving Tintin In America another race in the Kaikoura Cup, although that would seem unlikely, or taking in the Cup Trial.  He is happy with the way the 5-year-old has progressed and developed during his spell, and he is the likely second favourite behind Monkey King when the first New Zealand Cup markets open.

Having developed gate speed and having already shown the stamina to pace his sensational Messenger time, Tintin In America looks ready for a crack at races like the Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup, but it would surprise to see him spending too much time in Australia with the Auckland Cup and Inter-Dominions at home.  Small’s open class team has been reduced by three, with Changeover retired, Awesome Armbro sold and All Tiger also heading off shore.
The latter was sold three weeks ago and will join the same trainer who is campaigning Awesome Armbro in Canada.

“He will do a good job up there because he has real speed, although I’d like to see him allowed some time to settle and get used to the racing.”  All Tiger will be a significant loss to the open class ranks, but Small also has Zenad and Perfect Cullen as potential Cup horses.  “I will probably nominate all three for the Cup and see how they come up.  “They are all at about the same stage now, and they will show us if they are ready for the Cup.”  Small returned from his successful Australasian Breeders’ Crown outing with De Lovely to train three winners at Cambridge last Thursday, all expertly driven by David Butcher.