Warwick Farm trainer, Joe Pride, pulled the right rain when he elected to bypass the Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick with Tiger Tees, and come to Flemington for the Aurie’s Star Handicap down the straight six.

It was just a flying visit; the gelding was due to return to his Sydney stable sometime over the weekend, with no promises of a return trip at this stage.

Those that had backed him were on the edge of their seats for much of the race, he looked vulnerable; it was only the skill, and excellent ride of Damian Oliver, that saw his winning number posted in the frame.

Tiger Tees is a syndicated horse, like most are these days, while Joe Pride was not present he had a worthy substitute in one of the syndicate members, an excited Neil Couper explained, “the gelding has performed well down here on a couple of previous occasions, he has been a fabulous horse for us, he has now won 12 races from 28 starts and has broken the million dollar barrier in stake earnings,” he added.

Crackerjack King was an interesting runner with an uncertain future, he was having his first start for two years since finishing fifth of nine runners in the Arlington Million, over 2000 metres run in Chicago

Tiger Tees with Damian Oliver up winning the time honoured Aurie's Star.