Legend Stamps Himself a Major Battle Contender

Mackay trainer John Manzelmann is growing in confidence that Tiger Legend can deliver him his first win in the Battle of the Bush final.

Tiger Legend, a Group 3 winner early in his career in Brisbane, defied a major betting drift to claim the Ladbrokes Open Hcp (1200m) at $23 at Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Manzelmann has twice been runner-up in the Battle Of The Bush final  during the Brisbane winter carnival, but likes his chances of finally claiming the title with Tiger Legend.

“I’ve run second in it twice and taking a line through those I horses I think this bloke is way better,” Manzelmann said.

“I really expected him to run well today. I can’t believe the price he got to. I honestly thought he’d be much shorter and I don’t know why he was those sorts of odds.

“He’s been going good. He didn’t handle the sand out at Charters Towers last month but otherwise I’m really happy with him.”

Manzelmann has had the Battle Of The Bush as his main target from the time he bought Tiger Legend in an online auction late last year.

The Better Than Ready gelding has an unusual history, but showed considerable promise as a young galloper.

Formerly known as Tiger Heart, he won the 2022 G3 Vo Rogue at Doomben for Brisbane trainer Tony Golan before being sold on and racing in Sydney before two failed runs in Hong Kong.

Tiger Legend was shipped back to Australia and sold through the Inglis Digital Auction Sale site.

Manzelmann has struck paydirt with the gelding, winning four of his 12 starts including the $50,000 King Of The Mountain Consolation at Toowoomba in January.

“Bloody oath he’s been a good buy and he’s not at the end of the road either,” he said.

“His main target all along has been the Battle Of The Bush. 

“I’m looking at the heat at Mt Garnet (May 4) which is set weights where they can’t get at him with weight.

“I’ve also got him in the Fitzroy and he’s one of the emergencies for the Archer on Sunday.

“I’ll have to decide whether to run in the Fitzroy or go to Mt Garnett but I don’t want to do both.

“It’s beneficial if you can win one of the early heats. You can then have a little break and freshen them up and aim wholly and solely at the final. That way you’re not chasing your tail.

“He can have a little bit of time off after the Battle of the Bush and then get ready for the Cleveland Bay and the Newmarket and those sorts of races.”

Tiger Legend was having his first Cluden start on Tuesday and provided a late pick-up ride for in-form apprentice Gabby Semmens.

She replaced Olivia Kendal who was transported to hospital along with fellow jockey Pietro Romeo after they both fell in the first race.

Semmens won earlier on the Tom Button-trained two-year-old Under The Shadow to claim another double.

Pictured: Tiger Legend taking the win in the Ladbrokes Open Hcp (1200m) at Cluden Park on Tuesday.

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