A rapidly deteriorating track at Doomben proved the catalyst for the Tony Gollan-trained Tiger Heart to return to his best in the Group III Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate (1350m).
Relishing the conditions, the 3yo son of Better Than Ready kept up a relentless gallop under Ryan Maloney to defeat the Capitalist filly Shihonka by two and three-quarter lengths with the Star Turn filly Miss Hipstar three-quarter of a length back in third.
Tiger Heart had been racing consistently before a last-start failure in the Listed Gold Edition Plate. Gollan took the blame for that one.
“It was my fault. I probably should not have run him at Eagle Farm the other day,” Gollan said.
“I had a sneaky feeling he was developing a profile that track was not suiting him. It was evident the other day. He was fidgety in the barriers, wasn’t himself and pulled up badly.
“He did not enjoy it over there but enjoyed this track today.
“He probably should be unbeaten at Doomben. I was really confident coming here today.
“I knew he would get a lovely run, whether he led or box seated.
“He is not paid up for the Magic Millions, so he will probably have a break now. I will have a chat with David Chester, who looks after the owners, but at this point, he will have a break.”
Tiger Heart was purchased by Bevan Smith Bloodstock for $85,000 from the Aquis Farm draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
He is the best of three winners from four to race from the Group III Rough Habit Plate winner Fillydelphia (Bianconi), whose yearling colt by The Mission failed to make his $40,000 reserve at the March Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After missing in 20-19 and 2020, Fillydelphia was covered by Merchant Navy this season.
Tiger Heart becomes the sixth black-type winner for Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s Better Than Ready.
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