Ubetcha Tigerpie upsets the big guns

Giant killer Ubetcha Tigerpie (Betting Line) showed yet again his harness racing ability to cause an upset when he stormed home to take out the WSI Airport Transfers Free For All at Menangle on Saturday evening.

The race saw the Australian debut of New Zealander Marketplace who is enroute to the Group 1 Rising Star at Albion Park next month. But what should have been an opportunity to show his pacing prowess turned anything but as the four year old gelding had a torrid run.

Drawn the extreme outside Marketplace’s driver Luke McCarthy has little option early when caught wide. Double Lou found the early lead but he was taken on and eventually headed off by renowned speedster Hi Manameisjeff.

UBETCHA TIGERPIE 13 JUN REPLAY

McCarthy then tried to go for the lead as they straightened with a lap left to travel but Jye Coney on Hi Manameisjeff was having none of it and he held the front. The effort obviously was going to take its toll on Marketplace.

Meanwhile Ubetcha Tigerpie had the coveted one out and one back trail and driver Michael Stanley timed his run to perfection in the home straight. Marketplace found the lead but he couldn’t hold off Ubetcha Tigerpie who then had to withstand a late challenge from Double Lou who flew home but failed by just under two metres with Marketplace close up third just in front of Seasider who came from last to end up a close fourth.

Ubetcha Tigerpie 1.52.1 for the 2300 metre journey.

The win completed a double for Stanley as in the previous event his speedy three year old Soho Charmer (Soho Tribeca) led all the way for an impressive win rating 1.51.4 for the mile trip.

Ubetcha Tigerpie is best remembered last March when he denied Captains Knock the one million bonus with a last gasp win in the Renshaw Cup at Penrith. He then went to Perth where he finished fourth in both the Nullabor and Fremantle Cup.

As for Marketplace he would not have lost many admirers on the basis of having had such a tough run. Still he’s bound to meet a hot field in the Rising Sun so he’ll need to be at his best to win and hopefully that run didn’t take too much out of him.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink