TWO of the biggest names in Aussie pacing are close to racetrack returns.
But both Inter Dominion champ Tiger Tara and comeback hopeful Soho Tribeca will not chase the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle late next month.
Tiger Tara will be a key player at the Queensland Winter Carnival, but trainer Mick Stanley is thinking longer term with Soho Tribeca.
Soho Tribeca, who was tipped by many to become Australia’s best pacer this season before being sidelined with injury, will head to the Melton trials on Tuesday.
“So far, so good,” Stanley said. “All the signs are good, but this next stage of trials and races will tell us so much more.
“We won’t be going to the Len Smith or Queensland. I want to bring him back to racing steadily at home here (in Victoria).
“All going well, we’ll aim for the NZ Cup and Inter Dominion later in the year.”
Tiger Tara is further away from racing, but also pleasing his trainer Kevin Pizzuto.
“Tiger’s still only jogging,” he said. “I’m not looking at the Len Smith win him, but Majordan, who didn’t have that long out, is my Len Smith horse,” he said.
“Tiger looks great. He enjoyed the time out and it’ll be great to get him back racing again. He should be wound right up by the time he gets to the Blacks A Fake.”
Pizzuto had originally toyed with retiring Tiger Tara to the breeding barn at the end of this season, but has very much canned that idea.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing