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.