Facile Tigre jumps from maiden to Listed win
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Eddie Wilkinson returns to scale after Facile Tigre’s win at the Gold Coast (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Two weeks ago Facile Tigre won his maiden by seven and a half lengths at the Sunshine Coast, but it was his win at the Prime Ministers Cup raceday at the Gold Coast on Saturday, May 2 where the two-year-old gelding confirmed his potential by stepping up to win the Listed Culpans Electrical Ken Russell Memorial Classic 1200m in style.
The Bruce and Jason McLachlan-trained Facile Tigre (G2 Catbird-Cotton Bay) got a good start from barrier nine and got to the front early.
At the 300m mark, jockey Eddie Wilkinson moved Facile Tigre into sprint mode and he sped away for a convincing win by a length securing $64,000 in prizemoney.
The $2.60 race favourite Trim (Kerrin McEvoy) came in second, while fast finishing Movie (Damian Oliver) was a half length back in third.
Trainer Jason McLachlan was very pleased his charge made a successful step up.
“It was a big step, but we thought the horse was up to it,” McLachlan said. “I was quietly confident.”
“He drew wide, so we left it up to Eddie, but he had to get going from the bad barrier.
“Once he got to the lead he said they were never going to get past him.”
Facile Tigre has netted $73,200 is prizemoney from just two races, much to the delight of his owners.
“The owners are very happy with the horse,” McLachlan commented.
Jason and Bruce McLachlan plan to extend the racing distances for Facile Tigre as he improves and gets further racing experience.
“We think he’ll run the 1400m definitely, because he’s such a relaxed horse,” McLachlan said. “We’ll just play it by ear.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Phoebe Grealy – May 5
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