Tiger Tara wins the Victoria Cup

Tiger Tara tore shreds off his rivals to score a remarkable 12.2-metre win in the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The New South Wales-trained eight-year-old clawed his way to the lead early for reinsman Todd McCarthy, defying the challenge of fellow Sydneysider Mach Doro, and powering past polemarker Gotta Go Ya Hu, before ripping home with a 54-second last half.

That made it virtually impossible for anything to make ground from out the back following a 44.2secs lead time and 59.6 first half.

“Being able to lead on him worked out perfectly,” McCarthy said.

“We got that breather early and were ready to roll after that. Full credit tonight to (trainer) Kevin Pizzuto; he had him absolutely at the top of his game.”

Chicago Bull lost no admirers, boxing on gamely to run second, covering ground in the breeze and holding off third-placed Carlas Pixel – the mare running a bottler to finish third – and Franco Nelson, who did his share of work early, finishing fourth, just ahead of stablemate My Alpha Rock.

Chicago Bull remains the favourite for the TAB ID18.

Ameretto, who finished last, was scoped post-race and showed signs of mucous, according to trainer-driver Kerryn Manning, which may explain the performance.

Tiger Tara will now head to New Zealand for a tilt at the $800,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup, one of the international jewels of the sport, before returning to Victoria for the TAB Inter Dominion from December 1.

Ranked No.3 in the Inters earlier this month, there would be every chance Tiger Tara could launch to the top of the charts when rankings are updated this week.

“We’ll definitely be back for the Inter Dominion,” an elated Pizzuto said.

“He’s such a great horse with a big heart.”

CODY WINNELL

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA