When talented pacer Tiger Band Wagon entered the stables of Matt Elkins, the charismatic young horseman wasn’t sure what to expect.
Elkins was still a little shocked the former Victorian pacer had joined his burgeoning Coominya stables, given he had no prior connection to the owners.
Secondly, and more importantly, Elkins was fully aware his latest recruit was a well-performed pacer and therefore carried a high National Rating (NR) ranking.
Naturally, that left him a little quizzical.
“To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect. I certainly knew of the horse and his overall record was really strong, which meant he carried a high rating. That is always tricky, it’s not easy finding the right races and having races consistently stand-up,” Elkins explained.
“As soon as he arrived, he had a swagger about him, he knew he was better than average but was just really cool with his attitude around the place. Narissa [Elkins’ wife] had a soft spot for him immediately.”
Tiger Band Wagon is affectionately known around the stables as ‘Dusty’ – a tribute to the former champion Richmond Tiger football player Dustin ‘Dusty’ Martin, a Brownlow and Norm Smith-winning medallist in the AFL.
Arriving in Queensland mid-last year, Tiger Band Wagon found his way to the Elkins stable following a recommendation from leading Australian driver James Herbertson whose father Ashleigh (a former Queensland-based horseman) trained the pacer for the bulk of his career for owner Karen Burrows.
A graduate of the 2019 Australian Pacing Gold Sydney Yearling Sales for Elite Bloodstock, the youngster was knocked down to the bid of $15,000 for David Moran.
Tiger Band Wagon started his career in the western districts of Victoria under the care of David Drury, where he had a total of two starts before being sold to his current connections.
The Rock N Roll Heaven – Weona Miss Timed gelding went unraced as a two-year-old.
Unplaced at his debut in South Australia, Tiger Band Wagon scored second-up following a freshen-up at Horsham in a time of 1:56.7.
Under the tutelage of Herbertson, a very talented horseman in his own right, Tiger Band Wagon continued to improve and thrived on racing.
His first victory under the Herbertson/Burrows banner came via Ballarat on November 26, 2021, when scoring in a time of 1:56.1.
Tiger Band Wagon notched victories at Maryborough, Horsham, Cranbourne, Geelong and Swan Hill (twice) while Melton was his preferred track winning five times at the metropolitan venue.
He took a PB time of 1:52.6 when scoring at Melton.
In total, Tiger Band Wagon won 13 races and banked more than $135,000.
His Queensland debut came via Albion Park back on September 2, when the seven-year-old stepped out in the Veterans race and finished an excellent second behind Major Jellis in a time of 1:53.5.
Back-to-back Albion Park victories followed. He scored in 1:55.9 over 2138m while taking a new PB of 1:51.1 when scoring over 1660m on September 16.
“It didn’t surprise me at all when he recorded that big mile. You look at his whole career, he’s always been a fast horse and conditions that day were perfect,” Elkins said.
“I knew he was working well and handling the different style of our training because Ris kept dropping hints that we should just hold him back (Narissa was pregnant with their first child – Abbey – at the time) but he was ready and thrives on the week-to-week racing.
“I think he’s got an even bigger mile left in him; I won’t be shocked if he goes sub 50 in time to come. I’m keen for it.”
A pair of placings at Albion Park were followed by three unplaced efforts at open company but the efforts were still commendable.
A hat trick of Albion Park victories were recorded between December 16 and January 10, each time with a different driver (Nathan Dawson, Layne Dwyer and Narissa) before being unplaced at open company at his next two starts.
“He’s been a great addition to the stable, he’s very low maintenance around the stables and a pleasure to work with, he’s a good track worker and always has a low heart rate,” Elkins said.
“His versatility is his best asset. He can lead or be sat up, and it doesn’t bother him what trip it is (1660m or 2138m) because he just adapts.
“There’s not much wiggle room for him given his NR ranking but I’m sure he’ll keep doing what he’s doing. I’d like a few more like him, that’s for sure.”
Tiger Band Wagon has now won six races (all at Albion Park) and banked over $40,000 from 17 starts.
Tiger Band Wagon is raced by Karen Burrows along with her husband Simon, the well-known couple that have resided in both Queensland and Victoria over the last decade and always have been heavily involved in the harness code.
They’re currently racing former Queensland pacer Montana Pride in Victoria with Ash Herbertson and enjoying good success.
The couple also raced the talented pacer and now retired Ima Top Tycoon (21 wins, $132,000), a Somebeachsomewhere – Top Shelf Hanover gelding from the stables of Ryan Veivers a few seasons ago.
At one stage, Simon was the private trainer for Clive Palmer and his Cold Mountain Stud operation preparing the likes of South Park Hanover and Lonestar Legend among many other former North American pacers.
After stepping away from the active role of a trainer/driver, the Burrows family relocated to Victoria for several years before relocating to the Sunshine State.
And if they’re not trackside cheering on Tiger Band Wagon, their young daughter Kaycee is now competing in the mini trot races and attracting great support.
