Set to continue winning way
INTER Dominion winning trainer Kevin Pizzuto hopes to begin tomorrow's Club Menangle meeting the same way he ended last Saturday night's one.
No stranger to the world class venue's winners' circle, Pizzuto made a trip to the 'number one' stall thanks to King Tiger proving too good in the final event on the card.
With Ashleigh Delosa in the sulky, King Tiger was caught in the 'death seat' early from barrier nine before being eased to be settled four-back along the pegs as American Hammer set a steady tempo.
Weaved through traffic around the final bend as American Hammer established what appeared to be a winning break, King Tiger unleashed a scintillating sprint to grab the front in the last stride, scoring by a half-head.
Covering the mile in career-best 1:51.8, King Tiger is a son of Pizzuto's former star pacer, Tiger Tara.
Tiger Tara is also the sire of Tiger Tee which is engaged in the opening race this afternoon.
In fact, Tiger Tee is one of three Pizzuto-trained runners in the field.
Faring best in barrier five, Tiger Tee produced an eye-catching effort when first-up from a 10-week spell in Goulburn last Tuesday and is destined to be fitter for the outing.
Also returning from a break in the same provincial race, Itsallandover finished seventh, but is another which is expected to improve with fitness.
To be driven by Delosa, Itsallandover will begin from gate six.
We Can Have It All rounds out the Pizzuto trio from barrier eight, with the daughter of Volstead searching for her first win since August 2024 in the 1609-metre contest.
Should all go according to plan, Pizzuto will then round out another Club Menangle program by securing the last race once again.
This time around the multiple Group One winning horseman will rely on in-form pacer American Werewolf, which is among the leading chances from barrier three.
Boasting two wins and a second from his last four starts, the gelded son of American Ideal will also be partnered by Delosa.
Elsewhere on the card, Delosa will take the reins behind Calzaghe in race four for Victorian horseman Adam Kelly.
Racing well since arriving in New South Wales, Calzaghe faces a difficult task from barrier seven.
Kelly also has Kiss Me Mini in the field, with Bailey McDonough to handle the daughter of Always B Miki from gate four.
Runner-up at her two starts this season, Kiss Me Mini only requires an ounce of luck to register an overdue victory.
Crossing the Murray River with a small team as part of a 'working holiday' last November Kelly's gang have been a model of consistency and are expected to figure in the finish once more.
