Talk about a rollercoaster week for connections of Rocket Tiger.
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Late on Thursday afternoon, Wagga's Golden Slipper hope was finally declared fit to race in the $3.5 million classic for two-year-olds at Rosehill on Saturday.
After an anxious all day wait, trainer Scott Spackman was relieved, to say the least.
"It's been a long, long week. It's just a relief, an absolute relief," Spackman said.
"This has been one hell of a week. The highs and lows of racing... I've had them all. But I wouldn't give it up for the world."
Rocket Tiger was given a 'detailed veterinary examination' on Thursday morning by Racing NSW's Dr Toby Koenig which found 'notable improvement' and deemed the gelding suitable to race.
The Noel Penfold-owned Rocket Tiger had been "certified as two-fifths lame in the near foreleg" on Wednesday, requiring further examination.
Spackman had been confident there was no issue.
"I still reckon he is in good shape. There was never a doubt in my mind," he said, adding that Rocket Tiger hasn't been vetted or had his action questioned on his two runs in Sydney.
Spackman said stewards have let him know that a slightly unusual gait should be brought to their attention. He's certain to do it next time he has a runner in one of Australia's biggest races.
"Again, this is learning. This is all new for me. Hopefully we're doing this all the time, dealing with these sorts of problems," he said.
Spackman and Rocket Tiger ($61) will head to Sydney on Saturday morning for the 4.30pm race. The group one is worth a staggering $2 million dollars to the winner.
The stable also has Ardlethan Picnic Cup Day on Saturday to prepare for, as well as Albury Cup Day on Friday.
"We've got another four horses to prepare for two different tracks, and then we've got the Golden Slipper. So it probably doesn't change too much. We'll just enjoy what we're doing and keep doing it," Spackman said.
Fellow Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll enjoyed success on the opening day of the Albury carnival, with Lady Mironton returning to winning form in the $50,000 Albury Mile.
Under jockey Tyler Schiller, the run of Lady Mironton ($19) was timed to perfection, flashing home on the outside to beat Takissacod ($8.50, trained by Norm Loy) and Wyangle ($10, Laura McCullum).
Carroll said she'd battled a virus recently which saw the six-year-old finish unplaced in all four runs since a second in the Ted Ryder Cup at Wagga on Christmas Eve.
The George Osborne-trained Mount Horeb created a slice of history at Albury claiming a third straight win in the feature event, the $75,000 City Handicap (1175m) ahead of Donna Scott's Bautista.
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