A solid all-the-way win by The Tiger in the Geelong Classic has given co-trainer Cindy Alderson confidence that he will run out the 2500 metres of Saturday's $1.5 million Victoria Derby at Flemington.Alderson prepares the gelding in partnership with her father Colin Alderson who trained the 1998 Derby runner-up Sky Heights.The Tiger beat Derby rival My Scotsgrey by 2-3/4 lengths in the Listed 2206m race at Geelong last week."We're all going into unknown territory over the 2500 metres tomorrow. B

A solid all-the-way win by The Tiger in the Geelong Classic has given co-trainer Cindy Alderson confidence that he will run out the 2500 metres of Saturday's $1.5 million Victoria Derby at Flemington.

Alderson prepares the gelding in partnership with her father Colin Alderson who trained the 1998 Derby runner-up Sky Heights.

The Tiger beat Derby rival My Scotsgrey by 2-3/4 lengths in the Listed 2206m race at Geelong last week.

"We're all going into unknown territory over the 2500 metres tomorrow. But by the way he performed last Wednesday I think he will run it out," she said.

"I think any horse who can do it at both ends has a chance of running the trip out.

"I'm really happy with his preparation, there's nothing I would have changed.

"He pulled up really well from Geelong and, okay, it's not the renowned lead-up race (to the Derby) but you can only do what you can do.

"I think he has improved. I thought he was pretty spot-on at Geelong but he's really thrived in the past week. His coat's come out, he's eating really well and we are very happy with him.

"If there was no Whobegotyou it would be an extremely even field. He's got the form on the board and he's the class runner.

"Other than him they all have comparative form."

While The Tiger is by 1999 Golden Slipper winner Catbird, he is out of Zabeel mare Tio Belle and that is where he gets his stamina.

He is bred along the same lines as 2006 WATC Derby and 2008 Perth Cup winner Cats Fun who is also by the Danehill stallion Catbird out of a Zabeel mare.

"We bought Tio Belle as a yearling and she was actually coming into her own before she bowed a tendon when she was getting ready to go to Adelaide for a stakes race," Alderson said.

"So they bred out of her and the first foal was a flop, but he was the second and he was a lovely foal."

Rhys McLeod, who has ridden The Tiger at his past two starts, will be on board again tomorrow.

"His ride in the Geelong Classic was fantastic and he has got a good record in staying races," Alderson said.

The Tiger is at $26 with TAB Sportsbet which has Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou the dominant favourite at $1.55.