It has been a case of trial and error, but Ben Brisbourne believes he has finally got former smart juvenile Rocket Tiger figured out after taking over his training earlier this year.
Rocket Tiger had his first full campaign for Brisbourne over the late autumn and winter and towards the backend of it, the six-year-old managed an 1100m victory at Bendigo, his first win in 16 months.
For much of the middle section of his racing career, Rocket Tiger had been competing over distances up to 1400m as connections hoped he might develop into a Country Championships horse.
However, Brisbourne said his biggest take-out from the gelding’s recent form was that he was better suited to shorter sprints.
“He was a cracking two-year-old for Scott Spackman who did a wonderful job with him,” Brisbourne said of the 2021 Silver Slipper and Black Opal Stakes placegetter.
“Unfortunately, those two-year-olds who run well early can get a pretty hefty handicap mark, which he got.
“For my mind, I think he might be a better sprinter.
“It took me all last preparation to work him out and I think I might have done that now.”
After resuming with an unplaced effort at Caulfield last month, Rocket Tiger has made the trip to Sydney for the Saddles At Mount White Handicap (1200m) at Randwick.
Brisbourne said the gelding was in need of the hit-out first-up and would strip much fitter on Saturday.
“He just needed his first-up run fitness-wise and we’ve had to play about with him for the last month or so since then,” he said.
“But he has certainly got one of these handicaps in his locker over the summer.”
Blake Spriggs will partner Rocket Tiger who has drawn barrier 5.
