A phenomenal performance from The Tiger Army secured an action packed MIA Breeders Plate final.
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The Tiger Army struck trouble at the first turn and looked to have lost all hope as he trailed the field.
However the two-year-old continued his unbeaten run after putting in a remarkable recovery to take out the group three feature.
Regaining contact with the field, trainer-driver Laura Crossland never panicked as she launched a move down the back straight.
Leaving plenty of their rivals flatfooted, The Tiger Army ($2.30) went on to defeat Jimmy Beach ($18) by 4.9 metres.
The race was delayed after a thunderstorm lashed the Leeton track, but the wait was worthwhile as the son of Sportswriter put on one of the most dazzling displays in the 65-year history of the race.
Crossland was amazed with the performance.
“Far out, he was big wasn’t he?,” Crossland said.
Like in so many runnings of Leeton’s feature race, it all could have come unstuck at that first turn.
The Tiger Army made a strong start from the second row, and was in front of $2.20 chance Realnspectacular before a chain reaction riggered chaos.
The Tiger Army, Realnspectacular and Rock Shadown ($151) all broke stride but the son of Sportswriter didn’t lose as much ground as his rivals.
“I’d slotted in and the death horse said to me himself that he didn’t want to be there so he grabbed hold a bit quick,” Crossland said.
“As I was punching through so hard I just ran into the back of him being two-year-olds and it just happened so quick.
“Thankfully we got back down.
“Every time I went to go someone went and I just had to go 15-wide down the back straight heading into the turn.”
Crossland really thought he stepped up for the final but after abrilliant start to his career, the Shepparton trainer is unsure of what lies ahead.
“We were hoping to get tonight out of the way and then have a look but you never know,” she said.
“Someone might want to buy him now or we might give him a freshen up and look to the Sires or Breeders Challenge.”
Coming into the series after winning his first two races on debut, The Tiger Army more than justified his early favourites tag.
Crossland was thrilled to tick an item off her bucket list as she emulated partner David Moran to take out the feature race.
“It might not mean much to other people, and some people might not have heard of it, but it is off the bucket list now,” she said.
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