Tiver Has Spring In His Step After Invictus Domini’s Resounding Win
Adrian Tiver has a spring in his step and is eyeing the future with renewed confidence after Invictus Domini’s imperious performance at Geraldton on Sunday.
With Mitchell Pateman aboard, Invictus Domini took the 1400m race by the scruff of the neck and left his eight rivals stranded with a 9 ¾ length winning margin.
A five-year-old son of Playing God, Invictus Domini posted the first win of his career after four consecutive placings in his maiden campaign earlier in March and April.
The road ahead looks promising for Invictus Domini with a trip to Perth on the cards and being entertained, but go back 12-months and the picture wasn’t all so rosy for Tiver.
As a part-time trainer dealing with full time work at Greenough Regional Prison, racing’s relentless workload was sapping his energy and motivation.
“To tell you the truth I was a bit down in the dumps around this time last year,” Tiver told The Races WA.
“I’m just a bush hack trainer with only a small team of horses and it’s a pretty busy lifestyle.
“You’re up at 4am, rush back home to get ready for your day job, then go back after knock off and tend to the horses again.
“But all the hard work is worth it when you get a win like Invictus Domini did the other day.
“It was a real buzz and I was pretty excited by what he was able to do.
“I’m hoping I can get to feel that winning experience again.”
If Tiver needs reassurance that Invictus Domini can go on and win more races, he has a firm alibi in Pateman.
“Mitch said to maybe give him another run in Geraldton for experience, but if I was thinking about it to take him to Perth,” Tiver said.
“Mitch was pretty keen on him after he won a lead-in trial and basically said he was just a passenger on him on Sunday.
“He was looking left and right thinking the field was catching up on him in the straight, but he just cruised in.
“I think we will go to Perth sooner rather than later. It will be my first time there.”
If Tiver needs to directions to Ascot he can lean on his father, Geoff, an established trainer who has made the trek to Perth on many occasions.
Coming from a family entrenched in racing, Tiver was always going to work in the industry.
“Through dad I have been around horse all my life,” Tiver said.
“I rode track work for him and came up through pony club.
“I’ve also have been involved in polo cross for 35 years and captained WA in national competitions.
“It was actually dad who told me six months ago that don’t be surprised to see the horse winning in Perth.”
As a self-proclaimed ‘hack’ trainer, Tiver is grasping the opportunity of gaining a good galloper.
For that chance he can thank a family connection.
“Our local farrier is Norm Thompson and he got talking to one of the owners,” Tiver said.
“That conversation led them to me and that’s how the connection started.
“I think they were looking at someone who had worked with younger horses.”
Invictus Domini’s delayed introduction to racing as a four-year-old was not injury related.
According to Tiver patience has been the key.
“The owners were very keen to just take time with him,” Tiver said.
“They have been fantastic and very patient.
“He was just a big kid, but has slowly improved.
“There were no soundness issues with him.
“He’s grown up now.”
Julio Santarelli