WILL 2018 be the year of the Tiger?
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Bathurst native Todd McCarthy certainly hopes it will after qualifying Tiger Tara for the biggest annual race on the Australasian calendar – this Saturday’s Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final.
Tiger Tara qualified for the $500,000, Group 1 final in fifth spot, the eight-year-old having won his last heat on Saturday night at Cranbourne with McCarthy in the gig.
After placing third in his opening heat at Melton, then second in round two at Ballarat, Tiger Tara held $1.20 favouritism for his final 2,555 metres qualifier.
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McCarthy made sure he lived up to that billing for trainer Kevin Pizzuto. He guided the Bettors Delight x Tara Gold horse three-wide from barrier four and pushed forward until he was able to take the lead from Cant Refuse with two laps to travel.
Once in front there Tiger Tara stayed, going on to win by 1.1m in a 1:57.1 mile rate.
“Sure I’d like him to have won a little more easily and he was all-out on the line, but I actually think he needed the run after two very soft heat runs by his standards so far,” McCarthy said.
Between Todd, his brothers Andrew and Luke and father John, the McCarthy family has driven in 20 Inter Dominion grand finals between them already.
Team McCarthy has enjoyed seven appearances in the top three, six thirds and a second, but as of yet the title of Inter Dominion victor has eluded them.
After drawing barrier seven for Saturday’s decider at Melton, Todd McCarthy is hoping that wait ends.
It is the second year running he has qualified Tiger Tara for the prestigious final, having placed a 5.7 metres third to Lazarus in 2017.
Three years earlier in his first Inter Dominion Grand Final, McCarthy guided Seel N Print to second behind Beautide as he got within 5.9m of glory. His other appearance came in 2015 aboard Monifieth (14th).
McCarthy believes the 2,760m of the grand final will suit Tiger Tara, who was rated a 7-1 chance after Monday’s barrier draw.
“He’s very tough. The distance is going to play into his hands. One thing’s for sure he’s going to do his best for us,” he said.