Trials have Tycoon poised for All Aged Stakes assault
Fresh from plundering two Group One races on Queen Elizabeth Stakes day, Ciaron Maher will be looking to keep his winning momentum rolling into the final major of the Sydney autumn carnival.
Maher will saddle up Southport Tycoon in the $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, seven days after producing Circle Of Fire to win the Sydney Cup (3200m) and Pride Of Jenni to score a stunning victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Southport Tycoon was slated to line up in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) two weeks ago but drew an outside gate and was scratched, Maher opting to instead re-route towards Saturday’s feature.
“He was ready to go a couple of weeks ago, that was a target for him and we scratched, but he’s had a trial and he’s in great order,” Maher said.
“(His) form is huge and the horse is in a great spot.”
Southport Tycoon hasn’t raced since claiming to scalps of Veight and Riff Rocket in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2.
However, he has been kept up to the mark with two Sydney trials, most recently at Warwick Farm last week when ridden by his Guineas-winning jockey Jamie Kah, who sticks with him this weekend.
Maher says those hitouts have Southport Tycoon spot-on and he has no qualms over the three-year-old going into Saturday’s race with six weeks between runs.
“Not really. Jamie couldn’t have been more complimentary the other day,” he said.
Maher has been enjoying a heady run of form at all levels, producing 11 winners from his past 50 starters leading into Wednesday’s midweek meetings.
He had 14 runners over the two days of The Championships for a trio of Group victories – two with Circle of Fire and one with Pride Of Jenni – along with two feature race placings courtesy of Erno’s Cube (Percy Sykes Stakes) and Semana (Queen Of The Turf Stakes).
If Southport Tycoon can overcome the older horses on Saturday, he will become the third three-year-old to win the All Aged Stakes in the past seven years after Trapeze Artist (2018) and Giga Kick last year.
More Racing News
Sir Kingsford's local Cups campaign begins at Morphettville Parks
A pursuit of a Melbourne Cup start has been abandoned for the South Australian galloper Sir Kingsford, who will now focus his attention on local Cup races.After securing second place in the Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville in May, Sir Kingsford then travelled to Flemington to compete in the Andrew...
Nearco Frod seeks fifth win in a row at Sandown
The training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy possesses a thorough understanding of equine development.Last year, after a period spent in the warmer climate of Queensland, Half Yours returned to claim a double in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.Half Yours is once again bound for the Melbourne Cup, with a...
Signature Scent primed for Carlyon Stakes challenge
A 1000m dash at Stakes level has been on the radar for Signature Scent for some time, according to the Ciaron Maher stable.Notwithstanding a recent failure to place in a three-year-old event, the stable sees no impediment to her contesting the Group 3 Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Sandown this Saturday.Having...
Idle Flyer's Spring Carnival Path Tested in Winx Stakes
Trainer Matthew Smith is keen to assess Idle Flyer's capabilities against top competition as she begins her spring campaign in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, with the Cox Plate looming as a potential target.After a dominant performance in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) in the autumn,...
Apocalyptic primed for Randwick return, says Berry
Just as Ninja made a statement with his Missile Stakes win two weeks ago, stablemate Apocalyptic will be on a mission to do the same when she launches her campaign in the Toy Show Quality at Randwick.Dominant in the Princess Series as a spring three-year-old, Apocalyptic performed below expectations in...
Almairac's Adelaide venture after frustrating draws
Despite a string of unfavourable barrier draws in the past week, trainer Cliff Brown is taking a calculated risk by sending Almairac to Adelaide.Almairac has faced wide gates at recent starts, including last Saturday in Sydney and Wednesday at Sandown. On Saturday, the gelding will again jump from a challenging...
Screen Icon's prospects brightened by Rosebud result
Trainer John Thompson received a positive sign from the Rosebud race, even without a runner, which has bolstered his confidence for Screen Icon's upcoming appearance in the Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.The recent running of the Rosebud saw Chilly Girl emerge victorious, finishing a half-length ahead of Screen Icon in...
Ceolwulf poised for spring resurgence
Trainer Joe Pride is optimistic about the return to form for Ceolwulf, a four-time Group One winner, after an abbreviated autumn campaign.The star miler, who had his spring campaign cut short after just two starts last time in due to foot concerns and a minor bleed, will make his reappearance...
Tennessee aiming for seventh consecutive win
Ciaron Maher's stable possesses a remarkable ability to nurture older mares, bringing out their best performances.One can point to the examples of Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni, who continued to perform at a high level throughout their careers.Tennessee Bound, while perhaps not in the same calibre, boasts a notable...
Rosehill trials feature Headwall and emerging talent
While the Winx Stakes contest between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi is capturing attention this week, Rosehill barrier trials are also a significant drawcard as several equine stars intensify their preparations for their return to racing.Headwall, a contender for The Everest, will undertake his third trial over 900 metres in...