Tiger Of Malay needs to leg 61kg in Up And Coming Stakes

The Freedman brothers will proceed ahead with running Tiger Of Malay in Saturday’s Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Kembla Grange despite conceding a huge advantage.

The BRC Sires Produce Stakes winner has to give away 8kg to four of his rivals on the weekend and 7kg to three of them while Subterranean lugs 3kg less.

Co-trainer Michael Freedman said he and his brother Richard didn’t have to think too long about running their Extreme Choice colt in Saturday’s race.

“We’re happy enough to run him even though he’s got 61kg, which isn’t ideal, but it sort of sets him up nicely for the rest of his proposed program going into the spring,” Freedman said.

“In terms of where he’s at physically, I was very happy to run him. It was more so weighing up and considering carrying that weight first-up under the conditions of the race.”

The big weight hasn’t turned punters off however and he’s rated a $3 favourite with Concocted ($6.50) the next best backed.

He’s got barrier one with the country’s leading rider James McDonald on and it’s the closest to the fence he’s drawn ahead of his eighth career run.

“He seems to have come back in very good order and we were happy with his trial last Friday and he’s done well since then,” Freedman said.

“He’s got a nice gate and top rider on so it’s a good starting point for the spring.”

Tiger Of Malay winning the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm in May. Picture: Trackside PhotographySource:Supplied

The question many ask at this time of the year is which two-year-old is going to come back best in their three-year-old season.

“It’s probably hard to judge at the moment but I was encouraged with how he trialled,” Freedman said.

“Maybe the trip away to Brisbane, like it can do with a lot of young horses, was good for him.

“He’s certainly got the opportunity to show what he’s been showing for quite a while. He didn’t have a great deal of luck in the autumn here with barriers.”

Tiger Of Malay is rated a $26 chance for the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 25 and is the same price in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and a trip south isn’t out of the question.

“I think anywhere around that 1400m mark is probably his sweet spot but I wouldn’t rule out stepping up to the mile again,” Freedman said.

“He got a fair way back in the JJ Atkins and the Caulfield Guineas may still be an option if his form warrants it later on.”

Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside will likely trial again next Friday before he returns in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) on August 28.

Originally published asTiger ready to roar despite weight burden

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