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Tigertiger and Rodrigo Diaz to Begin Cup Preparations

Tigertiger and Rodrigo Diaz to Begin Cup Preparations
 (© imago images) 26.03.2022, Dubai, VAE – Rodrigo Diaz with Jamie Spencer. Meydan racecourse. Pferd, Jockey, Rodrigo Diaz, Spencer, Aufgalopp

Two more Cup contenders are beginning their preps in earnest right now. As the likely runners, especially those from overseas, are gradually whittled down, we can begin pinpointing which horses we need to keep a sharp eye on over the coming months with Tigertiger and Rodrigo Diaz being just two.

Tigertiger Ready for November

Tigertiger’s trainer Rob Blacker has issued an update on his star. One way or the other it seems the horse will be ready for November 1 although what race he runs in is open to question.

As of now, Blacker has the Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres and The Macca’s Run, a Benchmark 96, over 2800 as options for Tigertiger.

Tigertiger will begin his Cup trail this weekend. The seven-year-old is entered up in the Benalla Cup over 2046 metres on Friday. He is also in the JRA Cup (Group 3) over 2040m the same day, as well as the RM Ansett Classic (Listed) over 2400m at Mornington this Saturday.

The last race seems favourite for now for a horse not seen since not appreciating the Sydney Cup’s heavy conditions.

Tigertiger had a tiring campaign. He ran for seven months from winning a maiden to finishing second in the Adelaide Cup (Group 2) in March.

Blacker seems aware that improvement is needed and his horse needs to be sharper to go on a Cup campaign. He may yet not make the Cup field.

He will now be admittedly aimed at the “softest option” this weekend. After that, the Herbert Power at Caulfield is on the list, as well as either the Geelong Cup or the Moonee Valley Cup later on.

Quirky Rodrigo Diaz Gets His Melbourne Cup Shot

David Simcock’s Rodrigo Diaz was last seen finishing 13th in the Ebor Handicap at York in August. It seems now however that the rather unpredictable stayer will get his chance in the Melbourne Cup (check the list of Melbourne Cup horses).

The son of Golden Horn is among five horses en route to the Werribee quarantine centre. They will arrive in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

Rodrigo Diaz’s team reckon he’s as good as other stayers heading to the Carnival. His style of running makes them think he’s ideal for the Melbourne Cup and he does have some good form.

While we don’t know yet which Rodrigo Diaz will turn up, his best efforts give him a major chance. Although not winning any of his last 9, he has finished place in Listed and Group 3 company three times.

His best effort was in May when he was third to Quickthorn over 3200 metres, the Cup distance. That horse went on to monster a Group 2 field at York. Coltrane was 13 lengths behind him, but went on to shock Trueshan in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. Top form indeed.

Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.

Big Weekend to Come for Cup Contenders

Vauban to Have Second Go at Cup

Excelleration on Target for Melbourne

Gary Christie
134 articles
For more than 20 years, Gary has been immersed in the worlds of sports writing and betting. As well as writing on the subjects of sports and horse racing, Gary has spent years privately handicapping horse races around the world in order to bet professionally. While having appeared on TV and spoken publicly at racecourses, Gary has a passion for writing. He produces articles every day for various territories including North America, UK, Europe and Australia.
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18+ | Please play responsibly | What are you really gambling with? | Terms and Conditions apply | Commercial content