Harness racing trainer-driver Charlie Castles is looking forward to the upcoming preparation of Just Tiger, which commences in the N.W.T.L.H.A Cup (2500m) in Burnie on Friday night.
The five-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding has won four and placed on a further four occasions in nine starts this season, with his most recent effort being a third placing behind Blitzern and Magician at his first try in open-class company in the Darrel Rockliff Graduate.
“He went from strength to strength last preparation. We thought he went alright when we started racing him and ironed out a few issues. He improved and went to a new level for us.
“He was a touch unlucky (last start). If I followed through on the eventual winner (Blitzern), he could have made it really interesting. Whether we would have won it or not, I’m unsure, but he would have got closer to them,” said Castles.
If the pacer proves on Friday that he is up to the open class events, Castles is keen to get the pacer to the upcoming Golden Apple series in Launceston.
“The Golden Apple is coming. It’s an 80 or better, so he technically isn’t eligible yet, but hopefully, if he goes well this week and proves he is up to it, that’s his target, and from there, those similar races,” he said.
Friday’s race will also be the gelding’s first standing start race, which will also be his first start on the Burnie track.
“He is not brilliant (from the stand) but should be safe, and we will sort it out from there. Burnie shouldn’t worry him. He gets around our track well at home, and that’s not too dissimilar, and I think people overrate that issue.
“Whatever happens, he will definitely improve on, but he is forward enough to have a solid crack at it.
“Jimmy The Irishman and Villaci both won feature races last summer and were placed in our some of our biggest races, and Steve Davis’s horses are both quick out and I reckon are sneaky hopes,” the trainer-driver explained.
Castles also trained and drives Cee Tee Chelsea, who is one of the popular picks from barrier five for the night’s final race, the Choices Flooring Pace (2180m).
“Both starts back have been okay. I think she can be better, but we are building up, so hopefully, she can improve again. We have tried to get her a bit more sharper this week. She has been finishing off okay but just hasn’t had that bit of a kick at home that we expect from her,” Castles said.
The eight-race card commences at 17:25 and can be seen on Sky Racing 2 and the Sky Racing Active App.
