Castles hoping Tiger can roar in Golden Apple

The Nutrien Ag Solutions Tassie Golden Apple (2200m) is one of three Group 3 features in Launceston on Sunday afternoon.

Wesley Vale trainer-driver Charlie Castles has five-year-old gelding Just Tiger engaged in the $50,000 event after qualifying with a third placing in his heat last week behind Pardoe Plugga when defeated by a neck.

That effort came after a win in the N.W.T.L.H.A cup in Burnie, which were the pacers first two runs back from a spell.

“They have both been good. We have just got to keep working on his standing start manners and hope we can sort that out soon enough. His last start was disappointing when he galloped out, but we did have to wait around, and he was being a bit fractious, which didn’t help.

“If he is good away and is close enough, I think he is definitely good enough to win it,” said Castles.

The trainer-driver said the race was the first he had targeted the Betterthancheddar gelding at this preparation.

“This was one of the races we were aiming for, and now we are there, and only having two starts back, I think there is an improvement with him.

Castles believes standing start manners will be essential over the short 2200m trip.

“Those quicker beginners are going to put themselves right up there. The way Pardoe Plugga began the other day. If James In Charge begins safely, he is going to get the right trip, and obviously, Glenledi Elvis was exceptional last week, but it is such an even race.

“It is probably the most even Golden Apple they have had. There are usually two or three clear choices, but this year is a really tricky one, especially on the heats. There were a lot of performances that had a lot of merit.

“The beginning of the free-for-all class get their chance in this race more so than those over the longer trips,” said the trainer-driver.

Sunday’s card also features the 6ty Bandbox and the Nutrien Ag Solutions Globe Derby on the 10-race card that commences at 12:59.