Leppington harness racing trainer Kevin Pizzuto is eyeing off all the big races with his latest Kiwi purchase, Tiger Tara before a stud career beckons.
The six-year-old ‘black bullet’ has been killing his rivals in no uncertain terms and is set to continue the trend in tonight’s Group 2 Renshaw Cup at Penrith.
The son of top stallion Bettor's Delight has the $50,000 time-honoured feature at his mercy following his recent speed blitz performances and will start favourite.
Tiger Tara has been breaking the clock in winning four of his past five starts with sustained speed over various distances.
He ran 1:49.8 winning a mile race at Menangle before going close to Smolda’s 2525m track record in winning a lead-up to the Renshaw Cup at Penrith last week.
He then stepped out at Menangle last Saturday night and scored easily in 1:50.7.
“He has certainly turned the corner,’’ said Pizzuto who is one of the most successful trainers in NSW with his production line of Kiwi imports.
“I’m not scared of backing my horses up. I have them pretty fit.”
“He’s pulled up enormous after his last win. There are some nice horses in the Cup but he should make his own luck tonight,’’ Pizzuto tipped.
The trainer was referring to the stallion’s usual tactics of making a move at some stage from barrier 10 and put them to the sword over the staying trip.
A dual Group 1 winning three-year-old before graduating to the top ranks in New Zealand, Tiger Tara has taken time to adjust to Pizzuto’s training methods.
“He wasn’t right when we tried to get him in the Miracle Mile,’ Pizzuto said.
“I train them differently (to the Kiwis) and it has taken time for him to adjust. We also had a few minor issues. The ins and outs of fixing his gear.”
“He has done a huge job now and will have a break after tonight and then come back for the Len Smith Mile.’’
“We will look at the Brisbane Carnival after that and then Inter-Dominion in November, but it will be one step at a time, ’’ he added.
Pizzuto bought Tiger Tara after he was placed behind Lazarus in the NZ Cup and the NZ FFA in November.
“When he came up for sale I told my daughter Courtney I wanted him, mainly for breeding,’’ he said.
“So I bought him in a syndicate with my wife Tanya, Courtney and her boyfriend Mikey Hawli.’’
“He’ll stand at stud after his racing career is over.”
By Paul Micallef
Harness Racing Media Centre