Trainer Clayton Douglas is hoping Tiger Shark’s prior experience at Moonee Valley will give her an edge when she returns to the circuit this weekend.
The former Queensland mare had her first start for Douglas in a Benchmark 100 at The Valley on August 9 and will be back on Saturday to contest the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m).
A black-type winner in Queensland, Tiger Shark was transferred from Natalie McCall to Douglas with the aim of enhancing her Stakes record. A strong showing this Saturday could set her on a path to the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley on September 6.
Typically a front-running mare, Tiger Shark was ridden more conservatively in her Valley debut, settling behind the speed in a five-horse field before running on strongly late.
“We rode her a little bit more conservatively than she generally had been before,” Douglas said.
“She raced more on speed in Queensland, but it worked out with Midwest leading, we were able to take a trail.
“I just felt that her first time this way of going she just wanted to crab around the corner, so she should take benefit from her first run at The Valley.
“I’m really happy with how she’s done since her last run as she only had the one jump-out leading into it and she seems to have tightened up nicely.
“She’s a Stakes winner already and we wanted to see where she measures up to in this grade and you’ve got to say she measures up alright on what she did the other day and there’s nice improvement to come.”
Douglas suggested blinkers may be introduced later in Tiger Shark’s career to extract further improvement, though he has opted against them for now.
“She hasn’t had headgear on in her life and that might be the telling difference,” Douglas said.
“Hopefully she gets even luck on the weekend.”
The Listed sprint has drawn a field of nine, with Tiger Shark to jump from barrier eight under the guidance of jockey Luke Currie.
Punters eyeing Tiger Shark in the Norman Carlyon Stakes can find the latest odds and promotions through leading Australian betting sites.
