Kelvin Tyler has a big opinion of undefeated gelding Tyler Eight (NZ) (Pure Champion) and he is confident he will extend his winning streak to three when he lines-up in the Choppa’s Tyres Handicap (1200m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.
The four-year-old son of Pure Champion has impressed his handler right the way through, winning two trials last year before scoring on debut in February, and once again when fresh-up at Cromwell last month.
“He’s a pretty special horse this guy,” said Tyler, who trains in partnership with his daughter Aimee.
“He comes into it really good at the weights (carries 54kg with apprentice jockey Savish Khetoo aboard). He will take some beating.”
Tyler has lofty ambitions with Tyler Eight and doesn’t believe it will take long before he reaches top-level.
“We are just going to go through the grades with him. He is still learning but he is flying,” Tyler said.
“I have got no doubt that he will go straight to the top and do it fast.”
Another stable runner vying for a hat-trick of wins is He’s Got Power (NZ) (Power) in the Group ILT Handicap (1400m), and Tyler will once again utilise the three-kilogram claim of Khetoo.
“He is our silent achiever, he plods around on the track and on raceday he puts it all together,” Tyler said.
“He is coming into it quite good in the weights, I can’t fault his work, he will be a good chance.”
Tyler is also looking forward to Saturday, but this time as an owner.
Dual stakes winner Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) will have his first start across the Tasman after joining Annabel Neasham’s Warwick Farm barn.
Entered for both the Gr.2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) and Catanach’s Handicap (1600m), Neasham has opted for the latter softer option for his first-up run.
“She has elected to run him in that, which is fair enough with it being his first run over there and she is still getting the feel of him,” Tyler said.
“By the sound of it he has settled in really well.”
Lightning Jack won both the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) before placing in the Gr.3 Wellington Guineas (1400m) as a three-year-old.
He finished runner-up in the Listed Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in April, and Tyler thought it was a good time to test the waters in Sydney following his unplaced run in the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) last month.
“Lightning Jack is only a little horse and he would be getting 62 kilos most weeks (in New Zealand),” Tyler said.
“We thought he could have a chance of going over there and getting some money. We are just going to roll the dice and see how it goes. I am not scared of having a go.”
Tyler is set to have another runner competing in Sydney early next year after retaining a 30 percent share in former stable runner King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale).
“He has gone to Joseph Pride,” Tyler said.
“He is going to have a wee break over there and come back in the new year and have a light autumn campaign.
“Even though he is five, he is quite an immature horse but has got tonnes of ability.
“We are just going to be patient with him.”
