Talented Tiarnan finally breaks maiden at start twelve
GOLD Coast trainer David Joice believes his stunning black gelding Tiarnan could have a handy future as a stayer after breaking through for his maiden win at Ballina on Sunday.
The Sona Bloodstock-owned four-year-old started as the $1.65 favourite in the 1600m event, but missed the start and was near the back of the field in the early stages.
Under the guidance of apprentice jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester, Tiarnan began weaving his way through the field, bursting in between runners at the top of the straight and stretching out to score by 2.3 lengths over Skyreigns and Conquering Kate.
Joice said he was confident coming to the track and was impressed with the style of the win after missing the kick.
“He looks really good – he is fit and well and we were expecting him to go well and he got the job done,” Joice explained.
“He missed the start but [Jag] didn’t panic too much, he just got up in between them. It looked a bit hairy for a while but it was a good effort.
“The horse has had a couple of rails runs and run on nicely so he can take splits and do things like that so it was good that Jag just took his time and didn’t panic too much.”
Tiarnan had been knocking on the door for his first career win in recent weeks, having finished runner-up at his past two starts at the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
It was an overdue success, with the son of Manhattan Rain and Scattered Dreams now having had 12 starts for one win and three placings, with his career earnings now sitting at $20,000.
Joice said Tiarnan could have a bright future over more ground now that he is finally starting to learn how to be a race horse.
“The owner and I have spoken about it and if he can run 2000 or even 2400 that’s when you can pick up a lot of races and get up in your classes.
“The plan has always been to get there but we just had to teach the horse how to race – he had no idea what he was doing for a long time but he is starting to get it now.”