Racing: Backyard boxes do the job

If there were a strike-rate award for training out of backyard pony boxes, Nigel Tiley would win hands down.

Tiley has reduced his operation pending a Pukekohe overhaul, and has just two horses in training, Royal Entertainer and Savute.

Royal Entertainer has been one of the most consistent sprinters in the north, and Savute put his name forward for a Queensland campaign with an impressive Tauranga win on Saturday.

"I built two boxes on my Karaka property for my daughters' ponies, but they're out in the paddock now until I decide on my next move," said Tiley. "I'm just waiting to see what happens at Pukekohe. I'll probably end up training, mostly for David Cole, but may take one or two outsiders."

The way the Cole-owned Savute won at Tauranga with Tiley's wife Lee in the saddle, he should have no trouble attracting clients.

Tiley says a two-week break since his luckless fourth in the Great Northern Guineas has transformed the talented 3-year-old.

"He's a different horse underneath you now, a lot freer in his action and a lot brighter," said Tiley.

"In his last campaign he just wasn't 100 per cent right. He had a few niggly problems I'd attribute more to immaturity than anything I could pinpoint."

Tiley is adamant Savute should have won Magnetism's Guineas at Ellerslie on March 5.

"Run Like The Wind pulled up in his face at the 1200m and Lee had to check him off his heels.

"He ended up in the open from then on and overraced, and that race was set up for something to come from behind."

Savute should be even tougher to bowl next-up in the Sunline Stakes at Te Rapa on April 30.

The Dankse gelding had only three gallops to fit him for Saturday's 1300m at Tauranga and had a good blow after the race.

"If he wins at Te Rapa we'll look at taking him over to Brisbane," said Tiley. "He can have a start or two there and doesn't even need to take on the best."

Royal Entertainer is back in work after a short break and Tiley expects him to be tough to beat in an open 1200m.