Ubetcha Tigerpie and connections after taking out the Group 3 Renshaw Cup at Penrith. Photo by Brett Atkins (HRNSW)
The Michael Stanley-trained and reined Ubetcha Tigerpie is without doubt one of the most improved horses currently racing in New South Wales.
He proved his potential by racing his way through to open grade in Victoria before Stanley moved his family to Sydney, relocating his training operations to Club Menangle’s training precinct.
Ubetcha Tigerpie, that is now a seven-year-old, is flourishing in his new environment and has become a regular in the free-for-all class at Menangle.
On Friday at Penrith’s TAB Carnival of Cups meeting, the gelding produced one of his best career performances by taking out the $60,000 Group 3 Renshaw Cup, and in doing so denied long odds-on favourite Captains Knock from making history.
Leading into the race all the talk was about Captains Knock and the probability that his connections would walk away one million dollars richer as part of Harness Racing New South Wales Carnival of Cups bonus scheme.
After taking out the previous four Cup features, the Brad Hewitt-trained pacer simply had to win and he went ever so close, pipped on the post by a dogged and determined Ubetcha Tigerpie.
In a race of tactics, Hewitt was first to get moving and Captains Knock found the top with 1800m to travel and given his dominance throughout the Cups series, most thought that from there it was the end of the section.
But after making his move a lap and a half from home, Stanley put his charge into the race, sitting outside of Captains Knock and getting the better of him on straightening for home.
After the race, Stanley was full of admiration for his horse and said he had earned a crack at this year’s Interdominion series which will be held in Brisbane in July.
“He was huge,” said Stanley.
“To circle the field and then sit outside a quality horse like Captains Knock and beat him was an unreal effort.
“Going into the race I knew we were a big hope, and it was great to get the job done.”
“The horse is just in the zone at the moment, and loving life in New South Wales.
“He ran some honest races over the Miracle Mile Carnival, and now he has won this race.
“I think that he has now earned a trip to Queensland for a crack at the Inter Dominion.”
