No Fears For Tiger Tara In Inters

Posted on November 27, 2017November 27, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Reinsman Todd McCarthy confidently declared Tuesday’s sixth heat of the TABtouch Inter Dominion Championship (2100m) at Bunbury to be a winnable race for Tiger Tara.

McCarthy says the presence of imposing New Zealand star, Lazarus, holds no fears for Tiger Tara, who has been afforded a perfect draw in barrier one for tomorrow’s encounter.

Lazarus holds sway with three career wins over Tiger Tara, but the Mark Purdon-trained five-year-old will not have it all his own way from barrier six on the front line.

“As long as everything goes to plan we should be able to lead up and hold him (Lazarus) off over the latter stages,” McCarthy said on TABradio.

“It will be a good searching test to see where we are out with him, but I honestly think he can lead up and win.

“I think he is more dominant over the smaller tracks, over the half mile tracks he can utilise his speed and is so strong.”

Lazarus, who holds a formidable record of 31 wins from 37 starts, lost little faith with fans after running second to Perth star Soho Tribeca in Friday’s opening heats.

Lazarus was picking up ground from Soho Tribeca over the concluding stages, but the Kim Prentice-trained pacers lead time of 37.9sec. made his task difficult.

Tiger Tara, trained by Kevin Pizzuto, also won admirers, holding second position after racing from barrier seven and issuing a strong challenge to Lennytheshark in the back straight.

“He loomed up good down the back and we ran a quick last half,” McCarthy said.

“I was rapt with him, considering the last half they don’t go that much quicker around there.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better heat.”

PHOTO: Gloucester Park / Scott Hamilton