Racing: Tiger Tees up to par in Victoria

Photo / File

Tiger Tees' class proved the difference at the end of the group three Aurie's Star Hcp at Flemington on Saturday.

The 7-year-old won the The Galaxy and finished third in the All Aged Stakes during the Sydney Autumn Carnival but New South Wales trainer Joe Pride decided to start his season in Melbourne, rather than the Missile Stakes at Randwick.

Tiger Tees finished fourth in the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) in 2012 at his last run down the Flemington straight course before returning 20 months later to break his Melbourne duck as a well-backed $2.80 favourite.

Last season's Melbourne jockeys' premiership winner, Damien Oliver, was content to let Tiger Tees race in his normal prominent position before sending him to the lead inside the 300m.

His 59.5kg impost began to anchor Tiger Tees but the gelding's condition held out long enough to beat the rejuvenated Mr Chard, now with Adelaide trainer Tony McEvoy, by a head.

"He's a quirky kind of horse. He goes and waits a bit but he fought them off when he needed to," Oliver said.

"There's a bit of improvement to come but he was pretty good for today."

Honest local sprinter Zamorar raced near the speed before battling strongly late to hold third ahead of the Peter Moody-trained mare Sino Eagle.

- AAP