Recharged Sironen Tiger needs to jump well in Golden Chase

By Josh Spasaro 

Gaven Wicks is so positive about the chances of Sironen Tiger every time he races that he concedes that his good mate and trainer Darren Russell chuckles at his optimism.

“Darren laughs at me because I might be unrealistic at times,” the Perth-based owner said.

Sironen Tiger will appreciate the positivity when he returns from a six-week break to start from box five in the first Golden Chase heat over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

The Hooked On Scotch and Darryl’s Girl black dog has outstanding form at the track, but not so much from a middle lane.

“First race back and drawing box five isn’t ideal,” Wicks said.

“His starts can be hit and miss. He’s had eight starts out of boxes four, five and six without a win.

“I’m hoping he jumps well.”

Sironen Tiger went his past three starts without a victory, with Russell deciding to spell him after he finished sixth over 550 metres at Q1 Lakeside on August 4.

But, there is no doubting the natural talent of the 29-month-old chaser with nine wins from 23 career starts.

When he gets it right, he can win big, as he showed with his seven-length triumph in the Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial Final on February 5.

That was just his third career start for Wicks and Russell, who are long-term mates from playing rugby league in the Balmain area, near the Sydney CBD.

And, that was how Sironen Tiger was named, after Balmain legend Paul Sironen.

Wicks is now the managing director of a security training and conflict management business in Belmont, Western Australia. 

He said his promising chaser should be tough to beat first-up.

“He’s obviously got plenty of ability and the recent break will do him the world of good,” he said.

“His last race before the break he raced like a tired dog. Darren, the great trainer that he is, gave ‘Siro’ the rest he needed.

“‘Siro’ is doing everything he should be doing as a greyhound with his ability.”

Sironen Tiger’s litter sibling, Backcreek Butch, has also shown plenty of natural talent as a juvenile dog.

He saluted in the QGOLD Emerging Sprinters Final on May 9 and will jump from box seven for Andrew Monaghan in the second Golden Chase heat at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

Backcreek Butch’s last win was a massive triumph over 520 metres at Q2 Parklands on August 27.