Caulfield Guineas Next for G2 Stutt Stakes Winner Tijuana

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 23

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.

Tijuana takes the G2 Stutt Stakes - image Grant Courtney

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.

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“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.”

Tijuana has a big team of happy owners - image Grant Courtney

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.

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Race Result - Stutt Stakes Gr2 1600m

Moonee Valley Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:39.32
1
Tijuana
- 3c American Pharoah (USA) x Mexican Rose (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 57
2
0.5
Foujita San
- 3c Maurice (JPN) x Belle Giselle (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
3
0.9
Virtuous Circle
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x She Is Stryking (AUS) (Stryker (AUS))
Tnr: Liam Howley Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
4
2.6
He's Heaven
- 3c Zoustar (AUS) x Lights Of Heaven (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 57
5
3.0
Let'srollthedice
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Hannah In A Hurry (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 57
6
3.1
Ringmaster
- 3g Zoustar (AUS) x Blazing Snitzel (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: D Oliver 57
7
3.9
Muramasa
- 3c Deep Impact (JPN) x Omei Sword (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 57
8
7.4
Poison Chalice
- 3c Savabeel (AUS) x Urban (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: D Yendall 57
9
32.4
Fairy Spirit
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x Peony Fairy (USA) (Mr. Greeley (USA))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Craig Williams 57
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