Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred seven-year-old Tiger Royal ended a 17-month drought with a thrilling last-stride win in the $31,000 Vale Greg Sugars Fremantle Cup Consolation Pace over 2936m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was a $56.30 outsider after starting from the back line, with the polemarker Rolling Fire the $2.60 favourite, and Lusaka a popular $2.65 chance.
Kyle Symington quickly had Tiger Royal racing in fifth position, three back on the pegs, with Rolling Fire setting a solid pace.
Lusaka enjoyed a handy trip in the one-out, two-back position, and Deni Roberts sent him forward with a three-wide burst with 700m to travel. He took the lead on the home turn, and finished third in a three-way photo finish, with The Miki Taker ($8.50) flashing home, out four wide, to finish a nose behind Tiger Royal, who was eased off the pegs with 200m to travel and finished fast to gain a final-stride verdict.
Tiger Royal had the advantage of gaining an inside run when The Miki Taker was eased off the pegs from behind the pacemaker 500m from home.
“Tiger Royal was travelling really well when I came off the fence,” said Symington. “Pre-race I thought he was a place chance. His previous run (fourth behind Prince Of Pleasure) was pretty good and I expected him to get a soft run tonight.
“He needs that type of trip on the fence, and other horses doing the work. He was having his second start after a spell, and he always goes well when fresh.”
Tiger Royal is trained by Ryan Bell, who said the gelding was having only his 14TH start since his previous win 17 months ago. Those 13 appearances had produced three seconds and five third placings.
“He has always been about the place and has hardly run a bad race,” said Bell. “He is just an opportunist. Last year we had a few feet issues with him, but now we seem to be on top of those. Even though he is only a short sprint horse he actually always hits a flat spot between the 400m and the 150m.
“He needs to get out and get rolling, and that’s why I thought the 2900m and racing three back on the fence would be right up his alley. Last week he looked the winner, but he didn’t like being hampered.”
Tiger Royal is by Sweet Lou and is the second foal out of the unraced Elsu mare Tigers Lady. He has earned $151,133 from 14 wins and 20 placings from 65 starts.