Cuban Tiger earns his stripes with Burradon victory
Karl Burke’s charge pounced late to claim All-Weather Finals Day opener.
Karl Burke’s Cuban Tiger added to the trainer’s smart crop of three-year-olds when just getting the better of Sayedaty Sadaty in the BetMGM Burradon Stakes at Newcastle. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who has moved the majority of his string to Burke’s Leyburn stables, the Havana Grey colt looked to have plenty to do on the official figures with a rating of just 87. However, he had only had two runs, winning on his debut and just losing out to Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech last time out – and he had clearly improved for that experience. Appleby’s unbeaten Silent Age looked a major contender but he did his chances no favours by becoming upset in the stalls and it was Oisin Murphy on Sayedaty Sadaty who tried to dictate. Despite at one stage looking like being swallowed up, Sayedaty Sadaty gamely stuck to his task but while the favourite Orne and Silent Age dropped away, it was Clifford Lee and Cuban Tiger who challenged last and got the verdict by a neck. Burke already has a smart three-year-old cold in Night Raider, while his Fallen Angel is strongly fancied for the 1000 Guineas. “We were hoping he’d run really well, but you never know what you’re taking on with two-year-olds coming into their three-year-old career,” said Burke. “The Gosden horse (Orne) looked pretty strong and the Godolphin horse (Silent Age) fluffed the start, but I knew we had the horse that was better than his rating, so I wasn’t worried about handicaps and it was just a question of how good he was. “He loves that surface and he’s a good moving horse, I don’t think he’d want too softer ground. We’ll discuss with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid where we go next. “He’s a lovely horse who is still green. I don’t think he needs to go further than a mile at the moment. “We’ve got a big team of three-year-olds and some real nice stuff there, so fingers crossed they can all stay in one piece.” On Night Raider, he added: “He came out of Southwell really well and he’s a lovely horse. You’d have to say he’s got more gears than this fella, that’s for sure. “He’s a very good horse, whatever he does. It’s a massive step up from two Southwell novices to a 2000 Guineas, but at the moment he deserves to be in it and his future is ahead of him beyond the Guineas. “That (racecourse gallop at the Craven meeting) is Plan A and I’ve got to discuss it with Steve (Parkin, owner). Steve is very keen not to have a run and just go for the gallop, but when Danny (Tudhope) jumped off him at Southwell, he felt he was still very green. “For me, another race would do him the world of good, but at the moment it’s a racecourse gallop, with probably an entry in the seven-furlong conditions race and we’ll just see what that looks like.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Never So Brave looks smart prospect in the making with Chester success
Royal Ascot could be a target for colt with classy juvenile form to his name.
-
Washington Heights taking Duke of York challenge next week
Smart types set for Knavesmire sprint action, and Musidora full of exciting fillies.
-
Passenger embarks on ‘exciting year’ at Chester
Huxley Stakes starting point for Sir Michael Stoute’s promising four-year-old.
-
The Shunter seeking more staying honours for Emmet Mullins
Cesarewitch victor now has Friday’s Chester Cup in his sights.
-
Royal Ascot a likely option for Guineas fifth Alyanaabi
Connections eager for another crack at a mile after Newmarket defeat.
-
Hewick heading for French Champion Hurdle assignment
After finishing fourth last year, a repeat trip to Auteuil is booked in.
-
Tragedy strikes Hidden Law following Chester Vase victory
Godolphin runner suffered a fatal injury when stumbling after the winning line.
-
Forest pips Port in Cheshire Oaks Fairy-tale
Rossa Ryan: ‘She stuck her head down and galloped right out to the line.’
-
Seraphim Angel proves just divine for Dascombe
Impressive Lily Agnes winner gives trainer a happy homecoming at Chester.