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Tiger Warrior shows who's the Boss
at debut |
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Michael Lee |
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Booked to ride Risky Business for trainer Steven Burridge in the
$1.35 million Group 1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup later in the afternoon,
Boss had picked up five other rides, four for his main sponsor, and one for
trainer John Meagher (Kirin Arising). After finishing sixth on Scandal in Race 2, the triple Melbourne
Cup-winning jockey (Makybe Diva in 2003, 2004 and 2005) rode a copybook race
aboard newcomer Tiger Warrior, a A$8,000 purchase from the Magic Millions
Horses In Training Sale last year.
Taking the lead from the get-go, Tiger Warrior ($32) had things
his way until Sir Fleetwood (Saimee Jumaat) made a mid-race move on the
outside in an attempt to wrest the lead. Boss did not give in, though, and the pair matched motors up to
the top of the straight when Tiger Warrior shook off his challenger with
relative ease. Sir Fleetwood weakened right out of it while the well-backed
West Two (John Powell) seemed unable to quicken in the driving rain. Tiger Warrior, a three-year-old son of former handy Hong Kong
galloper Hidden Dragon, kept racing away without tiring to score by 1 ½
lengths from Princess Eunice who gave new apprentice T Rehaizat his first
placing at only his second ride. American Tycoon (Soo Khoon Beng) made late ground to run third another
neck away. The winning time was 1min 12.66secs. Burridge was glad Boss, whom he has engaged many times in
previous similar big-race bookings, had been able to ride a winner, but also
relieved to get a winner following a quiet spell. “Things have been a bit quiet for us for a while,” said
Burridge, who is however all but assured of a first title as he is panels
ahead on 85 winners, 25 clear of reigning champion Laurie Laxon. “I should have won the big race (EW Barker Trophy) last week.
Drovetti got held up for about 300m in the home straight and still flashed
home for third, less than a length behind the winner (Any Humour). “I was quietly confident about this one (Tiger Warrior). He
trialled well with the blinkers but it is always hard to know how they will
come on in their races. “It’s great for Glen as he’s come a long way to ride for us. The
owners have been very supportive and didn’t hesitate to put him on some of
their horses. “This owner (of Tiger Warrior), Mr KL Chua, also owns Happy
Everybody, and has always been very supportive of our stable. It’s nice to
get a winner for him.” Burridge’s son, Magic Millions’ Asian representative Wade was
again the one who got the credit for unearthing this one. “Wade found this one at the Ready-To-Run. He cost only $8000 as
a two-year-old and it goes to show you don’t need to pay a lot to get a good
one,” said Burridge. Boss said Tiger Warrior was always travelling like a winner
despite the pesky presence of Sir Fleetwood on his outside. “I was never worried when the other horse came up on my
outside,” said Boss. “He just kicked away in the home straight. He will be even
better over seven furlongs to a mile.” |
