Two stone lighter and Sir Tiger looks ready to roar after smart trial run
By Barry Lichter • 26 November 2019
A new look Sir Tiger showed he might now be ready to fight like a tiger when he ran a smart trial at Albion Park this evening.
Having his first serious hitout since being gelded last month, Sir Tiger finished just a head behind three-year-old Alta Christiano colt Will The Wizard in a 1660 metre heat, cut out in a mile rate of 1:58.4.
And, best of all, despite being well short of fitness, Sir Tiger showed in running home in 56.8 and 27.8, that he might now be better equipped to put together some much more genuine performances on the racetrack.
Sir Tiger has been on the easy list since being gelded.Trainer All Barnes is adamant that Sir Tiger’s coltish behaviour had been holding him back. Despite winning on debut in Queensland in September, his next three starts didn’t reflect his real ability.
“I’m sure it was affecting him. He resented a lot - the whip and any form of encouragement. When push came to shove and he had to knuckle down, he didn’t want to do it.
“I reckon he threw it in a few times but I’m very happy after seeing that run today.
“There was nothing wrong with those times considering he’s well short of fitness. We haven’t done a lot of hard stuff with him, just kept him ticking over.
“That was his first serious run but it was good enough to say he can go round next week and be competitive.”
Barnes says despite residual testosterone likely to last six weeks in Sir Tiger’s system, his son Hayden had already noted a change in the horse’s behaviour on the track.
And Sir Tiger drove perfectly today, taking up an early trail from the inside of the second row before ending up three deep.
And when Barnes was able to extricate him 600 metres out when Will The Wizard left the one-one to go up and challenge, Sir Tiger sprung on the offensive too.
Sir Tiger quickly ranged up to the leader turning in and he never looked like flinching in the run home, Barnes only slapping the reins at him.
Sir Tiger has so far won three of his 19 starts and A$36,796 for owners John and Lynne Street, Kim Miller, Brian Rabbitt, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Michael Brereton, Denis James, Margaret Rabbitt, and the 10-strong Excell syndicate of Christine Stuart, Christine Rupp, Lynda Irwin-Parson, Liz Bilton, Sue Donovan, Sue Wilson, Jackie Taylor, Mary Ingles, Sharon Rack and Shirley Arnett.
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Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Kevin Kline, What’s Up The Hill, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln, Colonel Lincoln, Frisco Bay.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.07pm
“He didn’t go very well in his workout right-handed last Thursday but he was good on Saturday when we trained him left-handed. It’s his first race for three months so he could possibly need it but we’re talking Manawatu opposition.”
Race 7: Onyx Shard
7.01pm
“She’s absolutely a winning chance. She showed that last time when she had to do a fair bit to hold the lead. Fergie is driving her this time and we’re pretty confident she’ll go well. She’s such a well-gaited mare.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
7.25pm
“He dominated them last time from the outside of the gate and, even though he can be in and out, he’ll be hard to beat again. That easier opposition makes a difference when there’s nothing good enough to eye-ball you. “
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.50pm
“He was very unlucky on night one. The gap sort of opened up then closed again and I had to take hold. He was still charging to the line and if the gap had come he would have been right there with the winner. If he can step and lead, then slot into the trail, he should be a winning chance.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
7.17pm
“Ferg said she wasn’t on the bit the whole way on Tuesday, was too relaxed. We’ll take the block blinds off this time and put half blinds on and see if that helps. She had to do a bit of work in the run on Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have knocked her around. The outside draw makes it harder.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
7.39pm
“He looks our best chance of the night. He’s definitely a different horse down here and he obviously likes it in front. Ferg didn’t pull the plugs the other night and that tells you something. He’s doing everything right, I can’t fault him.”
