Following seconds at Eagle Farm and Doomben, the Jungle Cat (IRE) gelding Tigers Roar scored a well-deserved maiden win over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.
With promising apprentice Bailey Wheeler taking 3kgs off his 59kg impost, the Greg Hickman-trained 3yo scythed through a narrow seam close to the rails to win, running away.
Making his fourth start, the son of Jungle Cat (IRE) defeated the Jest Spur gelding Totspur by one and a half lengths, with Lonhro gelding Lissaro a half-length back in third.
“He has been working well and is just starting to put it all together,” Hickman said.
“His work was good on Tuesday, and he looks a treat. He has been at Barry Lockwoods and has done a super job with him.
“He’s a lovely horse, and we might give him a little break now and look towards the Magic Millions.
“The $1:70 favourite looked to be in a bit of trouble but came out of it OK – lucky.”
Tigers Roar was a $50,000 purchase for his trainer from the Waylon J Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has returned that with interest.
He is the third winner from as many to race for the talented, stakes-placed, Exceedingly Good mare Hallside Rose.
Edged out by Missy Longstocking in the Listed Lancaster Stakes at Doomben, Hallside Road is out of a sister to Jade Tiara, the dam of Hong Kong sprinting sensation Silent Witness (El Moxie) and Group II Salinger Stakes winner and dual Group 1 second Sister Madly (Redoute’s Choice).
Hallside Road revisted the Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes hero Jungle Cat (IRE) at Telemon Thoroughbreds last spring.
The son of Iffraaj stands at $8,800 in 2023.
