Sir Tiger, obscured on the inner, features in a four-way photo for the minor money in his Rising Stars heat last week.
Tiger will use stealth to try to scavenge some minor money in the Rising Stars Final
By Barry Lichter • 23 January 2020
Trainer Al Barnes believes the bookies have Sir Tiger at the right odds of $26 to win Saturday night’s Rising Stars Final at Albion Park - but he’s still hoping the horse can get enough luck to “steal” some of the minor money.
Sir Tiger was beaten 10 metres by race favourite Tiz A Sizzler in last week’s heat but he featured in a four-way photo finish for second.
And Barnes says from two on the second row, Sir Tiger could just get the marker line run he needs to be running into the minor money in the A$16,240 final.
“That’s a good draw for him and should put him in a good spot on the fence. They’ll be running along in front so you can’t make ground when you’re out wide. He’ll probably end up four fence and from there he can hopefully get some of the money.”
Al Barnes … Sir Tiger can follow speed well.Barnes says while the digits look poor in Sir Tiger’s form line, he’s actually paced some improved races recently.
“He didn’t take any harm from being caught three wide two starts back and last time he ran on well.
“He’s a horse who will always need luck but at least he’s wanting to do it now. Before (he was gelded) he was having a bit of a cheat but now he’s looking to hit the line.
“He follows speed well, which is good for winning regular money, but it’s always hard to win when the favourites are running hard sectionals in front.”
Tiz A Sizzler, who clocked a 1:54.9 mile rate last week, and second favourite Jiggle And Jive who went even faster at 1:54 in taking her heat, would probably fight out the finish.
“That $26 price for Sir Tiger is about right. He’ll be a long way back, they’ll be running, and he’ll need luck. It will be hard to run top three but he’s got the ability to do it - he just needs some luck.”
Sir Tiger races at 10.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.”
