Al handcuffed by stifling heat so don’t expect Sir Tiger to be at his best on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 12 December 2019
Recent temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s mean Sir Tiger will be only 90% fit when he resumes racing at Albion Park on Friday night.
Trainer Al Barnes has been forced to back off Sir Tiger’s workload in the very hot and muggy Queensland weather which he says could hang round for another couple of weeks.
“You’ve got to ride it out when it’s like this and just keep them ticking over - you can’t pump them in between races.”
For Sir Tiger that’s pretty significant as he hasn’t raced since running second on October 25 after which he was gelded.
Barnes intended racing Sir Tiger last Friday after he finished a head second in a trial on November 26 but decided, because very high temperatures were forecast on racenight, to only trial him again earlier that week.
Al Barnes … Sir Tiger has a good trailing draw.Pitted against free-for-allers, Sir Tiger finished sixth equal, driver Hayden Barnes not pressuring him after he sat parked in the running and the leaders whipped home in 54.8. The winner, Rock With Sam (15 wins) clocked a mile rate of 1:58 for the 1660 metres.
“He got tired in the last 100 metres, blew up, and had a good puff.
“Sitting parked is not his go either. He needs to be saved for one sprint and that’s how we’ll drive him on Friday.”
Barnes says Sir Tiger has a good trailing draw on the second row and describes his opposition as very even with no standouts.
“I’m hoping the gelding will turn him into a more genuine racehorse and if he raced to his full potential he’d be hard to beat.
“He’s still high in testosterone but I hope to see good improvement in the next few weeks when we get him into a consistent pattern of weekly racing.”
Barnes says Sir Tiger has been pacing better since he fitted him with a one legged spreader to keep him from hitting his splint.
Sir Tiger races at 11.38pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
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Our runners this week
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Leo Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Whats Up The Hill
6.38pm
“He keeps improving every time we put him out there and even though it will all be quite new to him - it’s his first time off the place at a new venue with a bit more urgency - he’s a pretty laid back individual. So long as he gets round OK and it’s a good experience for him that’s the main priority. But he’s done nothing wrong so far and should be right in it. He’s a lovely animal with the pedigree to back him up.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.38pm
“Duchess Megxit is a serious horse who’s already won more than $500,000 and you’d look silly tipping against her. Frisky is up in grade and will need to get the right trip and a bit of luck to get any of it.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
8.05pm
“He tries hard. He’s a typical Bettor’s Delight who saves his best for the big dance. I’d like to think he’s going to keep getting better.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
8.05pm
“He’s pretty tractable so I don’t think the wide draw will make much difference. It’s only a small field so he won’t be far off them in the running. Rahm has to be a danger but my two colts have a little edge in experience on him.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
9.03pm
“Maurice was pretty happy with her last run and, if nothing goes wrong in the running, from the inside draw, she could be the one to beat.”
Race 8: Angelic Copy
9.03pm
“She’s a very nice, tractable filly who keeps getting better. She does nothing wrong and I expect her to go another good race. There’s nothing between her and Lincoln Linda.”
