By Jordan Gerrans
On the back of a barnstorming 11-length victory, apprentice hoop Cody Collis has declared Bernie’s Tiger is one of the stayers to beat in next month’s Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben.
The performance of the John Manzelmann-trained galloper was one of the eye-catchers across the state over the weekend, bolting in to claim the 2021 Moranbah Cup at Treasure Park.
The son of Bernardini has now claimed two qualifiers across the series, getting the job done at Ewan in late September, before winning his second race from his last five starts at Moranbah.
It was the Central Queensland-based apprentice’s first ride on the Mackay stayer and he was blown away with his strength to the line on the sand at Moranbah – which is inland from Mackay.
“There was plenty left in him,” Collis said.
“I jumped out, sat midfield just behind the leader and I stayed where my horse felt comfortable.
“I had everything left in him as we came around the corner.
“There were other horses under the whip but I was just looming into it, so I thought I was going to be a very good chance at the corner and he just kept kicking away.
“He got there with ease.”
The former Richie Stephenson-trained gelding has only been in the Sugar City for the back end of 2021, winning on three occasions from seven efforts.
Even with a light weight and jumping from an inside draw, Collis was not expecting such a dominant performance in the 1550-metre Cup – worth $15,000.
“Especially not in a Cup race like that,” Collis said.
“John was really happy with the horse and was glad that he got there.
“Winning the Cup by 11 lengths, you would think he will be a good chance down in Brisbane.”