Taming the Tiger - Al using kid gloves to make problem pacer brave
By Barry Lichter • 2 January 2020
Queensland trainer Al Barnes is looking for an improved run from Sir Tiger at Albion Park tomorrow, back in distance, down in class and against his own age group.
But while he says Sir Tiger is going well enough to figure in the finish, he says he’ll still need luck on his side from a bad draw.
That’s because Barnes is determined to keep working on Sir Tiger’s confidence by driving him quietly and have him finish strongly, rather than being driven hard and dropping out.
“Even though he showed a bit more gate speed last time, we’ll still be going back from six. For now, that’s the best way to drive him as I want him feeling happy and confident.
“If things go his way and he can loom up behind them like he did two starts back he’ll be right in it.”
Sir Tiger battles into fourth last start.While Sir Tiger was dead stiff when eighth on December 20, unable to find a gap in the run home, he looked weak in his next start when only fourth after securing a perfect trail behind the leader.
Barnes partly blames himself for that failure, backing the horse up only four days later over 2138 metres.
“He doesn’t back up brilliantly but he’s fresh this time and he should run out the 1660 metres better.
“But it’s an even bunch and he’ll have to be at least 90% to give them a shake. They’ll probably go slow which will make it hard for him.”
Barnes continues to be pleased with Super Easy who showed fantastic manners in an educational trial last week and he plans to give the horse another spin round Albion Park on Tuesday with Joey Lincoln.
Newest recruit Double Or Nothing will have an official trial on Friday, Barnes keen to find out if he’ll go well fresh to give him a guide on his upcoming programme.
Stable star Northview Hustler is making good headway in his new campaign, bothered only by a minor back niggle.
Sir Tiger races at 2.54pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
