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
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
