Sweet Lou gelding Maddis Tiger will be out to keep his unbeaten record intact since arriving in Tasmania when he lines up in the second race in Launceston on Sunday night.
The Charlie Castles-trained and driven pacer has won at all three starts in the state, with his most recent win coming in Hobart on 3 August. He was set to run in Launceston on 1 September, but that meeting was abandoned.
The New Zealand-bred pacer has won three of 16 starts before arriving in the state, with the bulk of his racing being in New South Wales.
“He came down here with mixed form but has put it all together. He likes the way we train him, and he has thrived on it.
“They haven’t run any super time overall in his (last three) races. But if he can get a soft trip with one crack at them, he can give them a run for their money,” said Castles.
The pacer is raced by Michael Boots, who races many horses throughout Australia, and he is starting to grow his presence in Tasmanian racing.
Castles expects the pacer to settle close to the speed from the pole draw on Sunday.
“It’s a nice draw for him, so I hope to hold a spot close up.
“He’s up in class, but I think he has enough ability to be competitive in the grade. He always gives his best, so hopefully, we can see that again, said the trainer-driver.
The trainer-driver hasn’t picked any races for the gelding going forward. Instead, he will see how the pacer performs this month.
“Nothing really picked out for him yet. We will see how he goes over the next month or so. We will get him qualified from a stand at some stage. I feel he will go away well.
Sunday’s card will be the second-last meeting that Marc and Kristy Butler will be permanently based in Tasmania for.
The pair are moving to Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.
“It’s sad but exciting. We have sold up and are moving to Kyabram with a team of 10 at this stage.
“We have got a few that have Vicbred bonuses they can pick up, and we will come back for the Tasbred races hopefully, said Kristy.
The Launceston card commences at 17:25 and can be seen on Sky Racing 1.
