The seconds after the ping of the standing start tape could decide harness racing history in the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington this afternoon.
Like his rivals, a clean beginning is essential to hot favourite Lazarus' chance in the $800,000 feature.
The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained stallion has wowed fans and sent himself into unbackable odds with three brilliant wins leading into today's great 3200m race.
So much so that the question of whether Lazarus will actually win the event is not the centre of pre-race chatter.
Instead, fans are asking how far the horse will win by and what effect that will have on Lazarus' legacy.
A repeat of his 10-length race-record win in the race last year is certain to place the horse among the all-time greats of New Zealand harness racing, even at the tender age of 5.
The key to the horse being able to do that, and also the key to his rivals' chances of beating him, lies at the start.
Lazarus, a faultless standing start exponent, will line up against often wayward outsider Imola.
The favourite's fans and his driver will be hoping the roughie is on his best behaviour, rather than his worst, which has been on show in his races leading into the cup.
But Lazarus' backers can take extreme confidence from the horse having faced the same scenario last year.
Lazarus paced away perfectly after lining up beside standing start rogue Quick As A Trick, who galloped wildly beside him after the starting tape flew.
But should the worst happen and Lazarus is hit with bad luck of his own or another horse's doing, it gives his rivals their most realistic chance of beating him.
Powerful second favourite Heaven Rocks is suddenly not faced with the nearly impossible task of chasing down Lazarus to win while standing start flyers Titan Banner and Tiger Tara could get the opportunity to control the race in front.
Whatever unfolds and whatever the placings for Dunedin breeder Gavin Chin, who bred Lazarus with Brian West, of Christchurch, the race will be another step on the stunning journey Lazarus has taken him on.
``It is just an unbelievable journey; it is every breeder's dream to breed a champion,'' Chin said.
``It is an honour and privilege just to have a cup starter as a breeder.
``Even if he gets beaten I will still be extremely proud of what he has achieved.''
Despite the horse's short odds suggesting that Lazarus will just turn up to win, Chin is taking nothing for granted.
``Anything can happen in a race. He needs a good run in transit and no bad luck.
``It is still a New Zealand Cup and he is not going to get it handed to him.''
A sleepless night meant the Mosgiel pharmacist watched last year's Cup from home, but this year Chin is keeping his nerves a little more in check.
That is not helped by the huge expectation the harness racing world has placed on the little black stallion.
``I am a little bit nervous because he is such a hot favourite - there is that public expectation that he is going to win,'' Chin said.
