Hormones settled, Sir Tiger’s back today but the cobwebs might need cleaning out
By Barry Lichter • 1 May 2020
All the signs are that Sir Tiger is ready to show more like his true worth when he resumes at Albion Park late this afternoon.
Trainer Al Barnes tipped Sir Tiger out in early February after he had managed only one placing in eight starts since being gelded last October.
“He just wasn’t right. He dropped a lot of weight and his hormone levels didn’t change - he was still very colty.
“He just needed a good let down to start life again and since he’s been back he’s been a lot quieter and easier to handle. He still bites and kicks and is a bit stubborn when he goes out onto the track but I can’t fault his work and he’s bright and is looking for his feed every morning and night.”
Best of all Sir Tiger “wanted to be there” when trialled at Albion Park last week, Barnes said.
Pitted against three others over 1660 metres, driver Hayden Barnes eased Sir Tiger back to last and didn’t pull out until 300 metres from home, coming widest on the turn and finishing on well to be only 8.7 metres from winner Tiz A Sizzler who clocked a mile rate of 1:58.5.
“He was keen in the trial and came out of it really well. I’d like to have trialled him again, but we can’t at the moment, so he’ll need the hit-out today.
“But two on the gate is a perfect draw for him. We don’t have to bustle him out, he can find a good position, maybe the one-one, and from there he could earn a cheque.
“I know he’s got ability. He proved that when he won first-up in 1:55.6.”
Sir Tiger races at 4.52pm NZ time at Albion Park today.
More news in Harness
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
