Already a dual G3 winner who finished third in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at 2, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Tycoon Star could head to the $1m G1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap (1200m) after his stylish victory in Saturday’s G2 SAJC Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Placed in both his runs this time in, which arguably with a little luck could've been two further black type wins, the ‘addition’ of James McDonald in the saddle on Saturday saw the colt start favourite in the 15-horse field.
Settling in third in third place, racing wide, McDonald made the decision to slowly edge forward and coming into the final bend, the colt found himself in front after the leading duo of Legacy Bound and Lawborough (NZ) started to weaken.
As Travis Doudle’s locally trained 200/1 chance Sir Myka came along the rail to make a challenge, McDonald got busy aboard the favourite, with the son fo Written Tycoon kicking clear to win by just less than a length.
Flashing home from near the tail to finish second, the run of the Trent Edmonds trained equal second favourite Extragalactic was excellent, while Sir Myka held on well for third.
With two of the last three winners of the Tobin Bronze in Reserve Bank and Royal Merchant going on to win the Goodwood at their next start, surely connections would need to give a good think about starting the valuable colt in the race with a G1 win next to his name assuring a stud career.
Will Hayes was on course to represent the training partnership.
“That was a terrific win,” enthused Hayes. “He's had a frustrating preparation. He arguably should have won the last two, but he's found a way to get beat. But I thought, with the addition of visors and James really giving him the go, that was a really good win and really exciting for some good clients of ours in Yulong as well.”
“He's a very talented galloper. He's just one of the horses that seems to find a way to get one beat, especially early in a prep. But can't fault him today.
“He did it the hard way, after 200 metres, it quickly looked like we were going to get posted three deep. James didn't panic, he sat there and gave a good kick.
“So he won with authority today, which gives us confidence if we are to target a Group One."
Asked if they colt will head to the Goodwood, Hayes said it would be guided by the way he pulls up.
“It's certainly tempting. We'll be guided by how he pulls up, but it's been a pretty good recipe in the past with a lot of winners coming out of this race.
With the win being his first in South Australia, McDonald was please to get the moneky off his back.
“It was a terrific win,” said McDonald. “He really put him to the sword at the furlong marker, which was pleasing because he's lacked that in the past.”
“I think the visors have been a masterstroke with the blinker change, and he just probably could be able to feel them coming a little bit more, and he was pretty genuine to the line.
“He's a talented horse. His form speaks for itself, he's around the mark all the time.
“He showed great desire there, but I think the difference was the visors on. He was able to see them coming."
“I was pretty comfortable with it. I walked the track and it's probably advantageous to be where I was and he was in a good rhythm so I didn't want to break that and he is a colt, so a little bit of room probably didn't hurt him.”
The G2 win took Tycoon Star’s overall record to three wins and five placed efforts from 14 starts with earnings of $869,710.
A $350,000 purchase for Yulong Investments when offered by Milburn Creek through their Magic Million National Weanling Sale draft, Tycoon Star was sold to Lindsay Park Racing for $400,000 when consigned by Yulong to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Tycoon Star is the first foal of the stakes performed Equinao mare Miss Iano, with her second foal being a 2yo colt by Home Affairs named Marffiano who is also in the Lindsay Park stable, who has had four jumpouts, finishing a narrow third a few days back off the back of an 800m jumpout win.
Interestingly, Yulong purchased Miss Iano for $310,000 from the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, with the mare visiting Written Tycoon with that resultant foal being a colt born last season, while the mare’s next foal, a filly by the very same sire passed away after birth.
It was of no surprise to see Miss Iano covered in the spring by Written Tycoon.
Tycoon Star is one of 82 stakes winner for Yulong’s flagship stallion, Written Tycoon, who has been represented by 18 individual G1 winners to date. It was the second stakes victory at the Morphettville meeting for the stallion after the earlier win of Cilicap in the $250,000 G2 SAJC Queen of the South Stakes (1600m).
