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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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
