Trainer Joe Pride made the right decision in sending Tiger Tees to Melbourne for the Aurie's Star Handicap.
Tiger Tees began well and Damien Oliver took him forward, rating him nicely, to share the lead at a moderate early tempo (first 600m 36.19).
He sprinted to a clear lead at the 200m and then responded gamely to win by a head in a good first-up effort with his top weight (59.5kg), coming home his last 600m in a smart 33.67.
Mr Chard raced in ninth place, midfield between runners. He got a nice run through at the 200m, went to third at the 100m and kept making ground for second, beaten a head.
Zamorar raced close to the lead, being a handy fourth before challenging at the 300m. He then battled on quite well for third, beaten one length, after seeming to have every chance.
Sino Eagle was a prominent third to the 200m point and then held on for (1.4 lengths) fourth.
Smackdown shared the lead to the 300m before finishing (1.9 lengths) fifth. Road Trippin’ made ground from 11th at the 800m to finish (2.1 lengths) sixth.
The smart mare Text’n Hurley was midfield but was beaten for pace when the tempo picked up at the 600m. She then made good late ground for a sound first-up (2.9 lengths) seventh, obviously being suited to further than the 1200 metres distance.
