Tycoon Star set for The Goodwood after Morphettville gear tweak
Ben Hayes, co-trainer at Lindsay Park, attributed a crucial gear modification and rider swap to Tycoon Star's recent win at Morphettville.
Ben, Will and J D Hayes' Lindsay Park team looks to convert that result into Group 1 glory with Tycoon Star tackling The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Visors featured again in Tycoon Star's equipment for his last Morphettville run, but securing James McDonald played a major role too.
"I think the visors did the trick," Ben Hayes said.
"It was a tough win also as he sat wide throughout and he won quite nicely, but I also got a big kick out of James riding his first winner in South Australia."
McDonald's maiden South Australian success came aboard Tycoon Star, followed later that day by his Group 1 Australasian Oaks victory on Chris Waller charge Panova.
Tycoon Star keeps the visors on for The Goodwood, but McDonald departs for the Gold Coast's Hollindale Stakes program, handing the reins to Luke Currie.
The barrier position did Tycoon Star no favours, with gate 16 the outermost draw.
That said, Goodwood's late history shows three-year-olds performing strongly, notably winners of the Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) such as Tycoon Star last start.
Three-year-olds Reserve Bank (2025) and Royal Merchant (2023) recently notched the same Tobin Bronze-Goodwood feat.
"An interesting stat about him, he's never not run in a Stakes race," Hayes said.
"He's been a very good horse, for a long time, running against the best and he's always been thereabouts.
"We purposely held him back from the early autumn to target this race and hopefully it can all align and he can run well."
According to Hayes, triumphs enhance a horse's mindset much like new surroundings do.
Since his latest victory, Tycoon Star has stayed in Adelaide and reportedly thrived.
"Ash, who has been looking after him, said he has been bright and well and really enjoying it," Hayes said.
"We're really excited and think he's a genuine chance.
"If he can win that race, he's got a pretty good (breeding) page behind him, and being Group 1 placed and a Stakes winner as a two-year-old, you never know.
"He's racing for his future (as a Yulong stallion), but three-year-olds in the Goodwood have a good record."
Head to the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for Tycoon Star in The Goodwood.
More Racing News
Weights for the 2026 Melbourne Cup are now public
Dual Melbourne Cup victor Half Yours faces a formidable challenge if he is to claim another title in the iconic race.The stayer prepared by Tony and Calvin McEvoy has been given a handicap of 59kg for this year's Melbourne Cup, marking a 6kg increase on his winning weight from the...
Kingswood primed for Underwood Stakes challenge
The journey for Kingswood has been remarkable since he joined Gavin Bedggood's training establishment.Beginning his racing career in Ireland, Kingswood spent time with Maddie Raymond in Warrnambool before moving to the Bedggood stable in mid-2024. He immediately impressed, winning his initial two starts at Caulfield, including the Coongy Cup (2000m).Fast...
Zakouma's road to the Cups is on track
Trainer Grahame Begg is feeling more at ease with Zakouma now qualified for a Caulfield Cup lead-up event.The six-year-old gelding was initially listed as the second emergency for Saturday's Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, but two horses being scratched has allowed him to gain a start.With a ballot exemption already...
Craig Williams aims for history in Caulfield Group 1
Craig Williams, the only jockey to have conquered Australian racing's 'Super Slam'—comprising the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper, and The Everest—has secured victories in races of greater prestige than the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.Nevertheless, the decorated rider has always held the 1400-metre handicap, set to be contested...
Matthew Smith banks on Queen's Gamble's potential in the Tea Rose Stakes
Emerging filly Queen's Gamble is set to face some of Sydney's most accomplished three-year-olds in the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick. Trainer Matthew Smith, however, has a solid precedent for his confidence in her ability to compete.Smith's previous charge, Hurtle Myrtle, was a consistent performer in the 2009 Princess Series,...
Tactical racing expected in 7 Stakes due to small field
Autumn Glow is set to be a very short-priced favourite for the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick. Connections are confident in her ability to perform, but they are also aware that a small field can introduce unexpected challenges.Following Chris Waller's decision to withdraw stablemates Lindermann and Lady Shenandoah to...
Mollie Fitzgerald set for big stage in The Shorts
Apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald is counting down the days until Saturday, when she will ride in her first Group race aboard the talented mare Flying For Fun in the lucrative $1 million Shorts at Randwick.The 24-year-old rider, indentured to trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, has had three rides in Listed...
Blind Raise set for Caulfield Guineas Prelude challenge
The Spring Carnival is reaching a stage where horses have fewer opportunities to avoid facing their toughest rivals.Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are keenly aware of this as they prepare Blind Raise for an assault on the Caulfield Guineas.The Caulfield Guineas, a 1600m feature race scheduled for October 10,...
Lloyd backs talented pair to perform at Newcastle
Leading jockey Zac Lloyd is set to test the mettle of Metropolitan contender Aethelwulf and Epsom Handicap hopeful Althoff in key lead-up races at Newcastle, with their respective carnival aspirations on the line.Aethelwulf, aiming for his fourth consecutive win, faces a dual test in Friday's Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup...
Tennessee Spirit's speed set to shine at Morphettville Parks
Tennessee Spirit, a former rapid runner, has successfully learned to control her speed under the training of Toby Lake.Fresh off a win on the Ballarat synthetic track, Tennessee Spirit is heading to Adelaide this Saturday to compete in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap over 1000 metres at Morphettville Parks.The filly...