Gun sprinter Dr. Tucker is back in full flight after an electric win at Sandown Park last night.
He was one of the slowest to leave the boxes but then showed a blinding turn-of-foot to put his opposition to the sword. He got tired late but the damage was done as he won by 9 lengths – the second biggest winning margin of the year (behind Weblec Eagle’s 9.5L) at the track.
It was his first race at city level since he took part in a heat of the TAB Melbourne Cup last year but that clearly mattered for nothing.
“This is his first two turn hitout for a while and he’s gone super. He’ll improve a lot on that,” said trainer Will McMahon post-win.
Dr. Tucker won the Winter Cup final at Healesville in his start prior though McMahon was cautious that he didn’t get too accustomed to the unique straight track.
“I just wanted to get him away from the straight so he didn’t get too comfortable there. Sometimes they can and then don’t adapt as well as expected when returning to the city tracks.”
He will return to Healesville for his next target being The Arrow match-racing event in late August. He will then take aim at the Healesville Cup the following week before honing in on the world’s greatest greyhound race.
“After that he’ll be back here, everything will lead to the Melbourne Cup. Last year he was a baby and this year he’s seasoned. He’s got plenty left in him, let’s hope.”
Dr. Tucker was a brilliant TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude winner (in 29.28) last year however had no luck in a Cup heat.
This year’s TAB Melbourne Cup will be run on Friday November 26.
Click here for last night’s results
