16 December 2022 | Tim Walker
Trainer Michael Brennan is bullish Pinny Tiger has what it takes to overcome a tricky barrier draw in tomorrow night’s Retravision-Golden Nugget (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
Pinny Tiger enjoyed a perfect run behind the leader in the 4YO Classic (2130m) earlier this month and scored his first Group 1 win.
The gelding will have his work cut out from barrier seven in tomorrow night’s $200,000 event, with key rivals Mighty Ronaldo (barrier three), Lavra Joe (4) and Jumpingjackmac (6) drawn inside him.
Brennan said he couldn’t be happier with the son of Mach Three going into the event.
“He’s jumping out of his skin,” Brennan told TABradio.
“He’s been primed for this race.
“His trackwork on Saturday was outstanding and his gallop on Tuesday was brilliant.
“We just need a bit of racing luck now.
“We are in the hands of what happens underneath us.”
Pinny Tiger showed blistering gate speed in winning at Gloucester Park earlier on this year and has also proven to be effective off a soft run in transit.
Brennan said he was toying with the idea of trying to get across to the lead but was adamant he could be driven to have one shot at his rivals.
“The first thing I thought was we might have a go, then you really go through it all with a fine-tooth comb and it’s really all eggs in one basket if you do go forward,” he said.
“If we slot in then we are still a chance.
“He’s got this incredibly high cruising speed that he can just drop quarters in.”
Pinny Tiger is rated a $16 chance with TABtouch for the feature events.
Lavra Joe ($3.10) heads up the TABtouch market for the Golden Nugget, ahead of Mighty Ronaldo ($3.60), Finvarra ($3.70) and Jumpingjackmac ($5.50).
Brennan confirmed he had nominated Pinny Tiger for next month’s Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups but would wait until after tomorrow night before planning that campaign.
Pinny Tiger will be looking to become the first horse in four years to win 4YO Classic and Golden Nugget in the same year.
Ana Malak was the most recent pacer to complete the double in 2018.
Meanwhile, Brennan indicated he would likely give Whatabro his chance to lead all the way in the Retravision For All The Electrical Stuff You Love Free-For-All Pace (2536m).
Whatabro drew barrier one and has race favourite Prince Of Pleasure drawn alongside him in barrier two.
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