Trainer Joe Pride will reassess plans for talented sprinter Tiger Tees after the gelding had to pull out all stops to win at Canterbury on Saturday.
Pride was keen to aim Tiger Tees towards the Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m) on January 13 but said he now suspected he might be looking for further.
Tiger Tees had to dig deep to firstly overhaul leader Unanimously and then to stave off the bid of Dystopia - Photo by Steve Hart
Tiger Tees had to dig deep to firstly overhaul leader Unanimously and then to stave off the bid of Dystopia.
“I had an 1100 planned for his next race but I think he might want further on that run,” Pride said.
“He was at his top for too much of the race. He had to do it hard from the start to get going.
“He normally travels very easily and has a good kick.
“None of that was evident today.”
Tiger Tees ($1.65 fav) raced outside Unanimously ($8) and looked to be in trouble when Dystopia ($4.40) peeled off the back of them and gave chase.
But he showed courage to kick strongly and snare the Vinery Stud Handicap (1100m) by a half-length over Dystopia who nosed out Unanimously for second.
“The best part of his race was the last bit,” Pride said.
“They looked like they had him on toast but he fought back.”
Tiger Tees has built an imposing record with his Christmas Eve victory taking his record to six wins and two seconds from eight starts.
Pride said he would let the dust settle before deciding where Tiger Tees would start next.
However, winning jockey Christian Reith echoed Pride’s thoughts that the four-year-old was looking for further.
“He has come back a lot more relaxed this time,” Reith said.
“I’ll be talking to the owners and Joe but I think he’ll definitely get a mile (1600m) this preparation.”
A race earlier, Winning Glory earned himself a shot at stakes company after comfortably accounting for his six rivals in the Summer Super Saver Handicap (1900m).
Trainer David Payne confirmed he would now look towards the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup (2000m) at Warwick Farm on Monday week.
“I think that’s where we will go,” Payne said.
“He will get in with a light weight.”
Sent out the $2.80 favourite, Winning Glory settled fourth before sweeping to the front in the straight and quickly putting the race beyond doubt.
Peck ran on from well back to finish 1-1/2 lengths away second with that pair streeting the rest of the field by four lengths.
AAP TURF
