Finance Tycoon will head to next weeks $2million Magic Millions 2yo Classic with a favourites chance after a hard-fought win in Saturday's Aquis Gold Nugget (1100m) Gold Coast.
Ridden by Luke Nolan, the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes-trained colt looked set for a comfortable win. He found a willing opponent in the rejuvenated Shalaa (IRE) colt Shaquero who only yielded in the final few yards to go down by a short-neck.
The Sebring debutant Jackson On Time showed he has a future finishing one and three-quarter lengths behind the Breeders' Plate winner in third.
Second on debut in the Darley Spring Preview at Flemington back on September 23, Finance Tycoon led at every call to win the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) on Melbourne Cup day.
"The horse has never really been out of work," Ben Hayes said.
"We have just kept ticking him over, so he had nice residual fitness.
"I thought it was a great ride by Luke. He jumped well, put him in a nice position.
"It looked to me like he may have stargazed a bit. He didn't quite know how to put them away, but he was in front on the line, and that's all that counts.
"He was only eighty percent fit today. We didn't have him wound up because he has already qualified for the Magic Millions so if he pulls up well I think he will be a great chance there.
"If you look at him parading in the mounting yard he looks like a three-year-old. He is lengthy with a big hip and is a horse that has kept stepping up to the mark.
"He’s really exciting and a genuine chance next week.
A $150,000 Magic Millions purchase for McKeever Bloodstock from the Eureka Stud draft, Finance Tycoon is the first winner for Darook Park, a winning half-sister by Darci Brahma to Group I placed Silk Pins and to the dam of Group II winner Gypsy Diamond.
Purchased by Boom Racing Thoroughbreds for $135,000 at the 2018 Inglis Great Southern Sale, Darook Park has a yearling colt by Spirit of Boom in the Eureka Stud draft heading to the Magic Millions (lot 211).
After producing a colt by Eureka Stud’s young Lonhro stallion Encryption, Darook Park was covered by Spirit Of Boom last spring.
