Inter Dominion champion Tiger Tara will need to come from the second row at Albion Park on Saturday night (20/7) in order to capture the $250,000 Group 1 TAB Blacks A Fake.
Chasing more than $1 million in stakes for the season, Australasia’s premier pacer drew gate 12 at this morning’s barrier draw and will line up alongside local hope, Colt Thirty One, in 11 to open the door for the remainder of the field.
Having already captured the Hunter and Victoria Cups this season - as well as the Inter Dominion Final in Melbourne – Tiger Tara looked effortless with a first-up win at Menangle at the weekend and will still require a power of beating despite the second-row draw.
TAB installed the Kevin Pizzuto-trained superstar as a $2.60 fixed-odds favourite with Our Uncle Sam firming into $2.80 on the second line of betting after drawing gate two.
Having secured the Group 2 Sunshine Sprint last week, Ohoka Punter, who has drawn gate seven, is eligible for a $50,000 TAB Grand Slam bonus should he cause another upset after outgunning Colt Thirty One.
Racing Queensland form analyst Darren Clayton said the second-row draw would prove tough for Tiger Tara but was unprepared to write off the eight-year-old.
“We saw how well he came back on Saturday night at Menangle,” Clayton said.
“He’ll probably get around them early. I thought Our Uncle Sam with the gate that he’s come up with – I thought he was very unlucky on Saturday night in the Sunshine Sprint…that’s a good draw for him.
“Cash N Flow (gate three) is another one who could drive forward as well – he doesn’t have that electric speed – but he might just have enough to get across early as well so it’s really opened it up with that draw.
“Rock With Sam, wide gate (six), but his sectionals last week were brilliant so it all augurs well for a really open race.”
In the $100,000 Group 1 TAB Queensland Derby, Self Assured has been framed as a $1.40 favourite with the unbeaten three-year-old looking to secure his first win at the highest level after drawing gate four.
Redcliffe Derby winner, Make Way, who is a $21 prospect after drawing the inside gate, can secure a $15,000 TAB Grand Slam Derby Bonus if victorious.
In total, four Group 1s will be staged at Albion Park with the QBRED 2YO Triad Finals bringing the 2019 Queensland Winter Harness Racing Carnival to a stunning crescendo.
A 10-race card commences at 5pm on Saturday night with fixed-priced odds correct at midday on Tuesday, July 16 but are subject to change.
Click here to see the full barrier draws for the TAB Blacks A Fake and Queensland Derby.
Click here for more information on the Group 1 action at Albion Park
