9 November 2018
NZ CUP | AMANDA RANDO
HIS price doubled when it was revealed that Tiger Tara would be stepping away from the second line in Tuesday’s New Zealand Cup, however, is it a blessing in disguise for the $1.5million earner?
The 3200m standing start has been won by some champion pacers since its inception in 1904 and Tiger Tara has placed in the last two editions.
On Tuesday, Tiger Tara will carry the number 13 saddlecloth and subsequently his odds with TAB expanded from $3.70 to $7.
His price has fluctuated since this and if history repeats, perhaps those that took the more lucrative price for Tiger Tara will be the ones smiling after the race that is scheduled for 3:12pm (AEDT).
The last three New Zealand Cup winners all stepped away from the front tape.
Lazarus has won the last two editions while the Australian-trained Arden Rooney took out the 2015 after also beginning off the front.
So how does this help Tiger Tara?
The 2014 New Zealand Cup winner Adore Me carried the same saddlecloth that Tiger Tara will wear on Tuesday when she on the prestigious event in race record time.
Adore Me’s victory that year ended Terror To Love’s dominance in the feature.
Terror To Love had won the previous three editions . . . all off the front row.
But where this gets interesting, the 2010 winner Monkey King won after stepping away from the second line.
So if this pattern continues and the last three New Zealand Cup winners have won from front row draws, it is the year that the New Zealand Cup winner should come from the second row.
Aside from Tiger Tara’s starting position, trainer Kevin Pizzuto has been more than happy with the son of Bettors Delight’s condition since arriving in New Zealand last Tuesday.
“I can’t fault him, he is in perfect order,” said Pizzuto.
“He travelled brilliantly as he always does given he’s an old hand at it now, has eaten up and looks a treat.
“The draw isn’t the best but it’s a long race and he has plenty of time to get into it.
“I still say he is the one to beat.”
Tiger Tara is the only Mark Purdon/Natalie Rasmussen runner that is in single figure odds for this New Zealand Cup.
Purdon and Rasmussen have four starters in this edition including the favourite Dream About Me.
They also have Thefixer, Eamon Maguire and Tiger Tara’s former stablemate Cruz Bromac engaged.
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