Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Sportswriter four-year-old The Tiger Army maintained his excellent form in standing-start events when he unwound a spirited finishing burst to win the Nova 93.7 Handicap over 2503m at Gloucester Park on Saturday night.
“He is not (exclusively) a stand horse,” said trainer Michael Young. “But the tempo in stands suits him a lot better than mobiles. In stands you can make your own luck, whereas in mobiles you need to draw good. So, stands are a better option for him.”
The Tiger Army, owned by Sydneysiders Eddie and Erica Burchill, was a $5.60 chance from the inside barrier on the front line in Saturday night’s event. He was beaten out by Manofthepeople, and then was relegated to three back on the pegs after Gee Smith burst to an early lead and set a fast pace.
Gary Hall jnr eased The Tiger Army off the pegs at the bell and the gelding finished strongly to win by a neck from the fast-finishing Hit the Sky. This was The Tiger Army’s second win from 13 WA starts, which include seven in stands for two wins and five placings. He showed signs of better things to come when he finished solidly to be a half-length second to star pacer Magnificent Storm in the 3309m Marathon Handicap last month.
The Tiger Army raced exclusively in mobiles in the eastern states before the Burchills sent him across the Nullarbor to be trained by Young. He had won at two of his ten Victorian starts and at six of his 17 appearances in New South Wales.
He now has earned $99,525 from ten wins and 16 placings from 40 starts. His dam, the Elsu mare Scottish Glamour had 50 starts for ten wins,12 placings and stakes of $43,655.