Lindsay Park’s Ben, Will and JD Hayes are known for their attention to detail, and a small gear tweak may have played its part in Tycoon Star’s victory in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Partnered by Michael Dee, Tycoon Star ($4.80) was prominent throughout before kicking strongly to defeat McGaw ($6) by 1-¾ lengths, with Jimmy Recard ($4) another three-quarters of a length away in third.
It was a strong rebound after his runner-up effort in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) two weeks ago, and Ben Hayes said race fitness played a key role. “The visors helped, but personally I think it was fitness,” Hayes said. “He loomed up last start to win and today, with that run under the belt, two weeks between runs, he was tough all-the-way through the line. With Jimmy Recard and McGaw, they both have good form, and it should be a good form race going forward.”
The colt is now aimed towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), regarded as one of the premier stallion-making races of spring. Hayes said Flemington’s straight six won’t worry him. “He looks sharp and he’s already a winner down the straight,” Hayes said. “We’ve got lots of options, but I’d like to talk to Mickey (Dee) and the owners and make a decision, but we could see him down the straight next start.”
Dee explained his tactical move to ride Tycoon Star closer to the speed. “He’s probably not best ridden the way I rode him, but it was the way it panned out,” Dee said. “I thought McGaw was able to get to the front quite comfortably and then I decided to give him that squeeze and end up outside him. He gave a good kick and that was the winning kick at the top of the straight.”
Dee added the colt was improving with each run. “He’s barely done anything wrong, apart from hanging in first-up and probably being a little bit fresh and peaking on his run. The boys are really happy with how he paraded today, and he relaxed much better and he’s going to improve again out of this.”