Ubetcha Tigerpie after the 2026 Renshaw Cup
MENANGLE trainer Mick Stanley is growing in confidence Ubetcha Tigerpie can play giant-killer again in tonight’s (Friday) $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Perth’s Gloucester Park.
Last month, Ubtecha Tigerpie ruined Captains Knock’s quest for a record $1 million bonus when he outstayed him to win the Renshaw Cup at Penrith.
Captains Knock had won the first four legs of the NSW Carnival of Cups and banked a $500,000 bonus, but it would’ve doubled had Ubetcha Tigerpie not produced the biggest run of his career to sit outside the favourite and beat him.
“He’s ready to show it was no fluke,” Stanley said. “He went enormous that week and it’s like he’s just continued to go another level since.
“I’ve deliberately kept him fresh and his work has been better than ever at home.”
Stanley snapped up the surprise chance to run in the Nullarbor just two weeks ago when pre-race favourite and fellow NSW pacer Don Hugo was scratched with illness and Ladbrokes needed a replacement runner for its slot.
“I actually said after the Penrith win that someone should snap him up for a slot race because he beat Captains Knock and Max Delight and they both had slots in NZ and the Nullarbor respectively,” he said.
“I felt for Luke (McCarthy) and the Don Hugo team, but jumped at the chance to take their spot.
“He was on the flight over last Friday and there wasn’t a horse that handled it better. Dad (Ian) said he settled in straight away and has been great.”
Stanley’s excitement grew again when Ubetcha Tigerpie drew gate 10, meaning he will be the lone runner to start off the back row.
“It’s much better than being drawn out wide and gives us options,” he said. “It looks like the local stars Magnificent Storm and Minstrel will be up front and hopefully going hard at each other.
“They’re the two standouts, but I think we’re as good as anything else in it.
“I said before the draw I’d love to be able to drive my guy to have the last crack at the big two and the draw gives me that chance.
“Knowing how well he’s done since Penrith, if we get the right run and luck when it matters, I really think he’s in with a big winning chance.”
NSW’s other Nullarbor representative is fellow Menangle pacer Max Delight for trainer David Aiken.
The multiple Group 1 winner and former Inter Dominion placegetter also fared well in gate three, which should see him racing up near the speed and trying to stalk like Ubetcha Tigerpie.
Plans are for the pair to stay in WA for the $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Cup week next Friday.
“He’s the draw to be right in the finish this week and I think he’ll be even better suited over the 2900m of the Fremantle Cup next week,” Aiken said of Max Delight.
PHOTO:: HRNSW/Brett Atkins
