Red Hot Tiger Strikes In Tasmania

Strike the Tiger continued his march to the Shaw Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic by leading home a Magic Millions sweep in Sunday’s $150,000 listed Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Launceston.

A son of Bel Esprit, Strike the Tiger extended his unbeaten run to three when he beat the Patinack Farm owned Cuddles for Naara by a length.

Sent out the equal favourite at $3, along with the runner-up, Strike the Tiger was on the speed throughout for Dean Yendall.

Trained at Spreyton by Michael Trinder, Strike the Tiger burst onto the scene when on debut he scored a stunning seven and three quarter length win at Devonport on January 6.

Just under three weeks later he started a $1.40 favourite and beat today’s third placegetter Gathering Gold by two lengths at Launceston.

With three wins from as many starts, Strike the Tiger is building up an impressive bank balance. As it stands he’s already won $119,490 – not bad considering he could have been yours for just $30,000 last year at the Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

Strike the Tiger is one of two winners to date produced by the well related Straight Strike mare Bonnie Lassie.

Her latest yearling, a lovely colt by Brom Brom’s sire Delago Brom, is a member of the Guthrie Performance Horses draft is set to go under the hammer at the upcoming Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

The Super Vobis qualified youngster is catalogued as lot 113.

Another member of the same draft is a half brother to recent Flemington stakes winner Silver Bullion – a cracking colt by Dash for Cash catalogued as lot 69.

Meanwhile, Obstinado made it four straight wins for the training partnership of David and Scott Brunton when he won the $50,000 Tasmanian Yearling Sale 3YO Classic (1200m) on Sunday.

A three-year-old gelding by Estambul, Obstinado was sent out the favourite and continued his great form of late with a powerful length and a quarter success.

A $35,000 purchase from the draft of Pastel Park at the 2008 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale, Obstinado has earned his connections over $92,000 from just eight starts.

The win provided a timely boost for his half brother by Niello catalogued as lot 66 at the upcoming 2010 Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

The brown colt by Niello is the latest yearling from the stakes winning Aliocha mare Shades of Stubborn and is a member of the Springfield Stud draft.

And a half brother to White Yard – another of today’s impressive winners at Launceston – is set to go under the hammer at the same sale.

The youngster by West Quest is catalogued as lot 63.

The 2010 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale will be held at the Inveresk Showgrounds in Launceston on Tuesday, February 23.