Tigroni out to roar into 2025 Magic Millions Classic calculations

Tigroni will likely kick off her career in the first race at Rosehill on Saturday, but co-trainer John O’Shea is the first to admit it isn’t the debut scenario he had in mind.

The Schweppes Handicap (1100m) became the back-up option after Racing NSW scrapped a two-year-old race at Wyong on Wednesday—Tigroni’s original target—due to a lack of acceptances.

The move frustrated a number of trainers, with Gai Waterhouse voicing her displeasure online, and O’Shea sharing the same view.

“We had her in on Wednesday and that was our preferred option,” he said.

“Racing NSW cancelled the race because it had six acceptors, but what they’re forgetting is that it’s a lead-up to the Magic Millions at Wyong in two weeks’ time.

“Fair enough that race was light on acceptors, and they said a couple of horses were dual nominated. We were one of them.

“The reason we were dual ‘nomed’ is we don’t trust Racing NSW to hold the race, so you have to have a back-up plan. We wanted to go around on Wednesday.”

With the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic run on December 10, the Rosehill option now compresses Tigroni’s schedule to the point where she may have to skip that lucrative event altogether.

Even so, O’Shea still has one eye on Queensland, hoping the filly can do enough to qualify for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.

Tigroni impressed last start at the trials when putting a margin on her rivals, having raced greenly at her first outing, and her trainer is confident she has the gate speed to overcome barrier nine.

“She has been a delight the whole way through,” he said.

Her ownership group has a strong family flavour as well, with the wives of both O’Shea and co-trainer Tom Charlton among the syndicate, along with Charlton’s mother-in-law, Mrs Camillieri.

“More importantly, Tom’s mother-in-law, Mrs Camillieri, is involved,” O’Shea said.

“He might not get fed on Saturday night.”

If you’re keen to have a punt on Tigroni’s debut or the Magic Millions lead-ups, make sure you check prices at the best Australian betting sites before you commit.