Sir Tiger ran out a decisive winner on his last last trip to Cambridge. PHOTO: Phil Williams/FokusPhotography.
Tiger’s earned his stripes and he’s ready to pounce again at Cambridge
By Barry Lichter • 31 July 2019
Sir Tiger will strip a lot fitter at Cambridge on Thursday night and looks well placed to open his three-year-old season on a winning note.
Sir Tiger, who with $26,549 in stake earnings was the highest earner of Lincoln Farms’ own two-year-olds in the season just ending, has drawn nicely in three in the sixth race, which looks easier than the field he faced fresh-up at Auckland last Friday night.
In his first run since June 6, when he scored decisively at Cambridge, Sir Tiger enjoyed a sweet trip in the trail. But when he shot up the passing lane to dispute the lead at the 150 metre mark, his run came to an end and he only battled into fourth, 1.6 lengths from the winner Rubens.
Trainer Ray Green had warned he might be short of a run after only two workouts and an easy week, but says he’ll be much sharper on Thursday.
“He definitely needed the run last week, when he didn’t run on as well as he normally does.
“But it looks to be a weaker field this time and he’ll be fitter. He’ll go another good race, like he always does.”
Hampton Banner … bowling along in the lead for driver Zachary Butcher.Green is also expecting a good debut from Hampton Banner courtesy of his pole position in the fourth race.
“He’s well placed to get a good trip - there’s nothing wonderful in his race and I’m sure he’ll go well.
“He’s gone from nothing to a racehorse virtually overnight but being by Bettor’s Delight you don’t really know what you’ve got until you line them up - they seem to grow another leg at the races.”
Hampton Banner wasn’t good enough to foot it with his two-year-old stablemates on his first prep but in the last couple of months has really improved.
He won his second workout back, working to the lead soon after the start and easily holding on.
And when he trialled the following week, he stuck to pacemaker Mighty Looee all the way, that horse franking the form when winning at Alexandra Park six days later.
He was solid again at last Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts, finishing fourth but only two and a half lengths behind Johnson Step.
Hampton Banner, a brother to six-race winner Scarlet Banner, has shown enough gate speed to hold his position early and could end up with a perfect trip on Thursday night.
His main rival could be Ocean Beach who looked ready to atone for his disappointing first run in the north when leading all the way at the workouts last Saturday.
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Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Grins night joy: Frisco Bay clears maidens in style and Ray’s hoping he’ll now go on with it
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
