Talented American Pharoah (USA) colt Tijuana staked his claim for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas next month when scoring a stylish victory in the Group II MVRC Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Trained by the Lindsay Park team of Ben and JD Hayes, Tijuana won a stakes race last season at two at his second start before being put away for the spring and was sent out favourite tonight after two encouraging placed runs at his first two runs back in stakes company.
Tijuana hit the front turning for home under Mark Zahra and was strong to the line winning by half a length with his overall record now three wins from five starts with prizemoney topping $330,000.
All roads now lead to the Caulfield Guineas for Tijuana, who also holds an entry for the Cox Plate.
“He put his hand up today under a nice aggressive ride by Mark, he travelled much better with the winkers and I thought he ran out the mile really nicely,” said Ben Hayes.
“Hopefully we have a nice chance in the Caulfield Guineas. He’s definitely a horse on the up and is so exciting and a big congratulations to Jarred (Magnabosco) of Best Bloodstock as it’s the first horse we’ve purchased together at Magic Millions and we’re having a bit of fun with him.”
A $100,000 Magic Millions purchase for Best Bloodstock Pty Ltd/Lindsay Park Racing from the Eureka Stud draft, Tijuana is a half-brother to stakes-placed Mexican Tycoon and is the fourth winner from Champion Singapore 2YO Mexican Rose.
Bred by Eureka Stud in partnership with Black Soil Bloodstock, Tijuana is sadly the last living foal from Mexican Rose, who died in 2020.
Tijuana is one of 30 stakes-winners worldwide for Coolmore’s Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who is not in Australia this spring.
