Tiger set to bite in the 2025 Carlyon Stakes
Trainer Clayton Douglas is confident Tiger Shark’s familiarity with Moonee Valley will be a valuable asset when she tackles the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m) this Saturday.
The Rich Enuff mare debuted for Douglas at The Valley on August 9 in a Benchmark 100 and now returns to the scene aiming for a stakes-level victory. Already a black-type winner in Queensland, her new stable goal is to build on that record, with the Group 1 Moir Stakes on September 6 looming as a possible next step.
Although typically an on-pacer, Tiger Shark was ridden more patiently first-up and closed strongly behind the leaders, giving Douglas encouragement that she will be better suited second-up around the tricky circuit.
“We rode her a little bit more conservatively than she generally had been before,” Douglas said.
“She raced more on speed in Queensland, but it worked out with Midwest leading, we were able to take a trail.
“I just felt that her first time this way of going she just wanted to crab around the corner, so she should take benefit from her first run at The Valley.
“I’m really happy with how she’s done since her last run as she only had the one jump-out leading into it and she seems to have tightened up nicely.
“She’s a Stakes winner already and we wanted to see where she measures up to in this grade and you’ve got to say she measures up alright on what she did the other day and there’s nice improvement to come.”
Douglas believes blinkers could unlock further improvement at some stage in her career, though he has resisted using them at this point.
“She hasn’t had headgear on in her life and that might be the telling difference,” Douglas said. “Hopefully she gets even luck on the weekend.”
The Norman Carlyon Stakes has drawn a field of nine, with Tiger Shark to jump from barrier eight under Luke Currie.
Punters keen to support Tiger Shark in the Norman Carlyon Stakes can find top odds at the nation’s leading betting sites.
More Racing News
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...
Sheza Alibi's move back to Pakenham imminent
The serious phase of training is fast approaching for Sheza Alibi.The exciting filly is drawing near the end of her northern sojourn in Queensland and will soon be repatriated to the Pakenham stable operated by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.The daughter of Saxon Warrior journeyed north following her stunning victory...
Cellarmaster triumphs in a tight finish to claim the Winx Guineas
In a thrilling conclusion, Cellarmaster ($5.50) narrowly pipped Platinum Pantheon ($6.50) at the post, with Rustemo ($8.50) trailing in third, more than a length adrift.Leading bookmakers noted Cellarmaster's winning dividend at $5.50, while the favoured runner Within The Law ($2.60) failed to live up to expectations despite being heavily supported.The...
James Healy celebrates first stakes win with Arabian Rose in Glasshouse Handicap
Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy has secured his maiden stakes victory thanks to the unheralded mare Arabian Rose, who triumphed in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on her home track at Caloundra.Initially listed as the third emergency when final acceptors were declared, Arabian Rose's place in the field was uncertain, with...