Wolfe sets Tiger for Winterbottom

Star local sprinter Tiger Pete will have a second crack at landing his first Group 1 victory for leading Albany trainer Steve Wolfe when the six-year-old lines up in the $750,000 Group 1 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Tiger Pete tackled the same Group 1 race last year where he finished eighth behind multiple Group 1 winner Buffering, beaten 3¾ lengths at the line, and again faces a daunting task in this year’s edition that contains $1.6 million-earner Moment Of Change and fellow Eastern States raiders Sidestep, Bel Sprinter, Eclair Big Bang and Angelic Light.

The Shovhog gelding drew ideally in barrier one at Tuesday night’s barrier draw and will carry 58.5kg on his back with regular stable jockey Shaun McGruddy aboard.

Wolfe said it was terrific to once again have a runner in one of the feature races at Ascot’s Super Saturday meeting and expected his gelding to flash home.

“The barrier is something, we are hoping to run a place,” Wolfe said.

“(Tiger Pete) should have won two starts ago and then he was ridden too close the other day.

“Fingers crossed he can do a good job.”

The $302,650 stake earner was ridden midfield at his last start, finishing fifth more than two lengths off the winner, Crown Lawyer, and Wolfe said the tactics would be to go back on Saturday.

“The quicker they go, the better he goes,” he said.

“Hopefully Shaun can ride him back.

“He gets home quick when he is ridden quietly.”

Tiger Pete was rated a $151 chance with the TAB on Tuesday night, while the Robbie Griffiths-trained Angelic Light remained favourite at $3, with Damien Oliver engaged from barrier five.

McGruddy said although he believed Tiger Pete was in better form coming into this year’s Winterbottom Stakes, the race was stronger than in 2013.

“He has drawn barrier one so that should give him the shortest way home,” he said.

“They will go pretty hard up front, so hopefully he can pass a few in the straight and earn some money.”

The Winterbottom Stakes is set down for a 4pm start.

Wolfe will also saddle up talented galloper Kalahaar in the $100,000 Carbine Club Of WA Stakes (1400m), which jumps from barrier five with McGruddy aboard, and smart five-year-old Storm Sense in the $50,000 Carlton Dry Sprint (1200m).

Hot Goth rounds out the local hopes in the Super Saturday card, the richest racing day on WA’s calendar.

Hot Goth will line up in the listed $100,000 Jungle Mint Classic (1200m) for fellow Albany trainer Paul Hunter.

The six-year-old mare will jump from gate two with Jason Brown in the saddle and carry 54kg.

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