Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Talented young driver Kyle Symington gave a flawless display in the sulky to guide $6.80 chance Tiger Royal to a smart victory in the 2130m Nathan, Nat and Shaun For Breakfast Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
While Armed Reactor ($8) was first out and led by a half-length but was unable to cross the polemarker Cheer The Major ($6), and the $1.65 favourite Goodfellaz was trapped three wide for the first circuit, Symington had Tiger Royal poised to pounce from the perfect one-out, one-back position.
Symington got Tiger Royal to a narrow lead on the home turn and the Ryan Bell-trained New Zealand-bred five-year-old went on to win by a half-length from the dogged Cheer The Major, with $19 chance Illawong Mustang finishing third after trailing the leader throughout. Tiger Royal rated 1.55.9, with a final quarter of 28.7.
Goodfellaz, who was restrained back to last in the field of eight after failing in an early bid to get to the breeze, finished gamely into fourth place. Tiger Royal is by American sire Sweet Lou and is the second foal out of the unraced Elsu mare Tigers Lady.
Tigers Lady’s dam Tigerish was an outstanding performer who amassed $491,957 from 15 wins and 21 placings from 79 starts. She won four Group 1 events and two Group 2 races in New Zealand.