Racing: Tyler stays on course with two winners

Photo / Thinkstock

Kelvin Tyler's breakout season continued in style at Gore yesterday, courtesy of a zippy grey gelding and a colt with a bright future.

The Riverton horseman had two impressive first-start winners at Gore although, with 600m to go, a debut win did not seem to be on the cards for Greyray in a 1335m maiden.

The son of Sunray settled in behind leader Eldante, but appeared to drop off the pace before jockey Rebecca Black urged him towards a gap on the rail in the straight.

"He's always been a bit mentally weak, but he's always shown a bit," Tyler said.

"I just wasn't too sure the track would be wet enough, and he needs a bit of ground, too."

Tyler was not fussed when the 4-year-old gelding dropped back to midfield. "We don't hustle him. We just let him do his own thing.

"The last thing you want is them running over the horses in front of them."

Tyler had not received any calls yet about the grey, owned by Kevin Strong, but he said the connections could be open to selling.

Strong owned Bigglesworth, who was sold out of Sally McKay's stable to connections of Gai Waterhouse in March this year.

Tyler is even more excited by the prospects of juvenile galloper Timy Tyler, who has earned a spell after winning by a length over 1200m.

"He's the gun. He is a good horse.

"He's a 2-year-old against the older horses in a maiden race so it was a pretty big effort. He had never been to the trials at all.

"He's well above average."

A tilt at the Gore, Dunedin and Southland Guineas could be in the offing for the No Excuse Needed colt next season.

"He's going to have a wee break and we'll get him ready for the 3-year-old races."

Tyler's season tally of 13 wins is well clear of his previous best of four, recorded in the 2009-10 season, and he credits the improvement to an increase in quality across the board.

Meanwhile, Michael Pitman moved 11 wins clear of Lisa Latta on the trainers' premiership after preparing four winners.

Stormpatrol beat the Dewdrop in a rating 75 1335m, before Pitman produced a running treble with Wiseguy, I'm Maveric and Gossip Girl.

Pitman has 76 wins for the season, with Latta on 65.