Five-year-old Sweet Lou gelding Maddis Tiger ($4.20) continued his rise through the grades when claiming a national rating 75 to 105 event over 2200m in Launceston on Sunday night.
Trainer-driver Charlie Castles took the pacer straight to the lead from barrier two. After a 32.2s opening quarter, the pacer increased the tempo over the final three quarters running 30s, 28s and 28.5s to score in 1:58.0s, by 1.4m over Triple Vinnies ($10) and Glenledi Elvis ($2.90 fav).
“He was pretty strong,” said Castles after the pacer won his fourth race of the season.
“He was gifted the front, which was unexpected, and was a big advantage in the end.
“He keeps stepping up to the mark each start, so hopefully he can keep doing that.
“He has been racing in this level, just under the free-for-all grade, and now he has to step up, and he did tonight,” the trainer-driver explained.
The win completed a training and driving double for Castles, who won earlier in the night with Sabine ($2.70 fav).
Two-year-old For A Reason colt Likeyouforareason ($18) made a winning race track debut when taking out the Faithful Park Stud Two Year Old (1680m).
Trainer-driver Christian Salter had the pacer settled behind the leader, and got out in plenty of time to rundown Bridwood Maisey ($1.35 fav) by a neck, with Quetzalli ($14) a further 19.7m away third in 1:57.0s.
The colt is the first horse to race from the Mach Three mare Itswhatilikeaboutu.
Another horse to break through for their maiden win was Franco Vai ($6), who led all the way to score for the Brett Jaffray and Gareth Rattray combination.
“He showed good gate speed, and being a mile helped.
“He has good manners, and he is a good-gaited horse, so there are plenty of options for him,” said Rattray about the win.
Other highlights on the program included a training double for Clayton Miller, who prepared the Mark Yole-driven Wind Sock ($3.30), while Arma Rolling Stone ($2.90 fav) won by the biggest margin of the night of 28.5m with Mitch Ford in the sulky.
The Wayne Yole stable also recorded a double with Sapphire Gambler ($7.50) recording a narrow win for Liam Older, while Mark Yole partnered Mr Bondi ($2.50 fav) to victory in 1:55.6s.
Miss Dutton ($6.50) overcame a 10m handicap to win at her first try in a standing start event for the Chris Howlett and Todd Rattray combination.
