Tiger Tees has always had a special place in Joe Pride’s stable and his Group Two Warwick Stakes win has given him top billing.
With wet conditions to suit, Tiger Tees ($5.50) led a field of weight-for-age stars at Randwick to record his first win over 1400 metres and his 13th overall.
Tiger Tees
“He has now won more races than any other horse I’ve had as a trainer,” Pride said.
“He definitely has a special place in the stable.
“He may not be the best horse I’ve had but the way he did that today shows how good he is.”
The winner of the Group One Galaxy earlier this year, Tiger Tees capped a big day for Pride with his win following that of his younger brother Terravista in the Show County Quality (1200m).
Pride also sent out Epsom Handicap-bound Rock Sturdy to win a support race on the program.
“I thought I would have a good day when I came here but you have to do it and when you do it is a bonus,” Pride said.
Glyn Schofield let Tiger Tees find his comfort zone and felt no pressure even when Royal Descent ($5) and Sacred Falls, the $3.40 favourite, tried to move up on him rounding the turn.
Inside the final 200m, Tiger Tees extended again and went on to put 1-1/4 lengths on Royal Descent with Criterion ($9) edging Sacred Falls out of third.
“I knew most of the others wanted cover so I stayed out on the track,” Schofield said.
“I felt no pressure and he was never going to get beaten.
“I was just a passenger.”
Pride said he was not making further spring plans for Tiger Tees but would monitor the weather as always.
“I don’t mind if he doesn’t run again this spring,” he said.
“There’s the Moir Stakes in Melbourne but he wants a track with give in it.”
The Chris Waller-trained Royal Descent was one of the Warwick Stakes runners preparing for bigger things in coming weeks.
“It was a good run,” her jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.
“She was tightened on the corner. It was a slow-run race and she will be better for the outing.”
Trainer David Payne was pleased with Criterion who is also on a Cox Plate path.
“I’m very happy with that,” Payne said.
“He will either go to the Chelmsford Stakes or the Dato Tan in Melbourne next.”
The only downside to Pride’s day was a Racing NSW decision to stop the trainer accepting a sponsorship deal with betting firm Betfair.
“It was supposed to be launched today and I’ve had three winners,” Pride said.
“I’ve got hats and all that sort of stuff sitting at home.”
Unlike their Victorian counterparts, NSW trainers are not able to do such deals, something Pride was unaware of when he accepted it.
