Tasmanian-trained Tiger Won’t Tell is set to make a raid on a series of three-year-old staying races culminating in next month’s VRC St Leger Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer Tommy Young crossed Bass Strait a week ago to try his luck with the gelding in Friday night’s Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley as well as the Galilee Stayers Series leading up to the St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day.
Tiger Won’t Tell has won only two of his 19 starts but the stable is optimistic he can run well after being competitive against mainland horses when contesting the Hobart Guineas and the Tasmanian Derby.
Young’s son and stable foreman Paul said that Tiger Won’t Tell was luckless in both races, finishing a close second to the Lee Freedman-trained Ludka in the Guineas and fourth to Mourinho, trained by Peter Gelagotis, in the Derby.
“In the Guineas he couldn’t get a crack at them and they ran a record with him beaten less than a length while he got knocked rotten at the 600 metres in the Derby and did a good job to continue on and run fourth,” Young said.
He said the St Leger had been a race that breeder Peter Scollard had wanted to win, and his wife Susan races Tiger Won’t Tell with her brother Andrew Munro along with Tommy Young.
“He was going to go to the paddock but he has done a treat and every time he has raced he is looking better and feeling better,” Paul Young said.
A noted backmarker, Tiger Won’t Tell is often seen flashing home in his races but Young conceded that the tight, turning Moonee Valley track might be against him.
Dan Nikolic has the mount and his local knowledge will be critical in plotting the right path.
“It will be good to see how he goes,” Young said.
“Moonee Valley might be a bit too tight for him as he is a horse who gets back and likes to get home but it is nice prizemoney compared to what we have been running around for in Tassie and a good lead-up to the other races.
“After each start we will assess him but all things going to plan and with ordinary luck he will be over there for four or five weeks.
“We think he should be competitive and finish among the cheques.”
Based at Colac 150km southwest of Melbourne, Tiger Won’t Tell has settled in well and pleased the stable.
“He’s done well and Dad’s pleased with him,” Young said.
After the Alister Clark it is hoped he can back up in a heat of the Galilee Stayers Series over 2000m at Caulfield on March 26 and contest the Galilee Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 9 before the St Leger.
AAP TURF
