NEXT month’s popular Leeton Breeders’ Plate is the initial major target for yesterday’s Maryborough debut winner, The Tiger Army.
Successful in the first two-year-old event of the season, the Australian Pacing Gold purchase has been aimed at the New South Wales feature by trainer Laura Crossland.
The $30,600 event is scheduled to be conducted on January 25.
“I will try and find another suitable race next and see how he goes,” Crossland said. “I’m looking at going to Leeton for the Breeders’ Plate and I think he will handle the track well.
“If he continues to improve as we hope he is eligible for the APG Final and Breeders’ Challenge later in the season.”
With Crossland holding the reins during his maiden voyage to the races, The Tiger Army led throughout from the pole to account for Youaremy Sunshine and Nuart in 1:59.1 over 1690 metres.
“He is a real quick little fella and we were pretty confident with him,” Crossland said. “I knew how good he was going, but the thing is you don’t know anything about the others so you can’t be too confident.
“I thought the runner up put in a big run.”
Purchased from the Melbourne APG Sale, The Tiger Army is by Sportswriter from Scottish Glamour, which has a colt in the 2019 Sale, which is due to be staged at the Oaklands Junction on February 3.
“We didn’t go to the sale looking to buy him, but when he came out in the ring I thought he looked stunning so we bought him,” Crossland said.
“From day one he has been a get up and go type so I knew would make an early two-year-old.
“Everything has come quite natural for him and hopefully he can continue to improve as the season goes along.”
APG Media