There would not be a more consistent galloper racing at Flemington than Tigertiger who is taking a big leap in grade on Saturday.
In nine starts since joining the Rob Blacker stable at Mornington from New Zealand, Tigertiger has four wins, four seconds and a third.
Admittedly they have been in lesser company than the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) Tigertiger lines up in on Saturday, but Blacker is using the race as a learning curve for the future.
The Bagot came on Blacker’s radar after Tigertiger scored in a Benchmark 58 race over 2440m at Geelong on November 14.
“He’s done everything right since we’ve had him,” Blacker said.
“There’s Benchmark 70’s around the mile-and-half in Melbourne quite regularly for this style of horse, but I just thought the way he’s racing he can have a go at this.
“And that will then inform me how I can set up things for him next year.
“There’s plenty of options but I just think the Bagot, it’s a race that suits horses down on the minimum or not far off it.”
Blacker says Tigertiger has a point of difference over his rivals in lesser grades that he hopes will allow the stayer to take that next step.
Tigertiger has shown a turn of foot at the end of his races, something Blacker hopes will be put to good use at the end of Saturday’s 2800m journey.
Blacker described Tigertiger a tall athletic horse, all arms and legs, and not a robust type that will carry a lot of weight.
“But when you have a horse that can run first, second or third every time they go out, that’s an indication they are a grade or two above their opposition,” Blacker said.
“This race could determine whether we go on to something like the Adelaide Cup or we could give him a freshen up and set him for the Banjo Patterson Series where he will line up against the same sort of horses through the winter.”
