A shot at the stallion-making Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) looks to be on the agenda after smart Written Tycoon colt Tycoon Star recorded his second Group 3 victory, winning the MRC McNeil Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield for Yulong.
Having shown ability at 2, winning the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate as well as finishing third in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, the colt resumed with a narrow second in the Group 3 Vain Stakes before proving a class about his rivals, pulling clear for a length and three-quarter win in the McNeil Stakes.
With the previously unbeaten I Am Immoral gelding McGaw flying the gates from the outside barrier of nine, Michael Dee aboard Tycoon Star jumped from eight and also went forward, settling in second position.
With the first two clearing out a few lengths from the rest of the field, Tycoon Star asserted his authority as the field headed into the straight, and although last start Vain Stakes winner Jimmy Recard (I Am Invincible) commenced to make ground, it was short lived, with the Ciaron Maher trained colt finishing third.
Having his first start since victory in the Gr1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at 2, the previously unbeaten Vinrock (I Am Invincible) will surely take improvement from his first up run where he finished fourth.
Going on to record his second black type win, scoring by just shy of two lengths, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained colt looks a serious contender for some of the better sprinting contests throughout the spring.
With the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes as the pinnacle for the 3yo sprinters during the carnival, Ben Hayes felt the colt could be aimed towards Flemington race.
“He looks sharp and he’s already a winner down the straight. We’ve got lots of options,” Hayes said.
“I’d like to talk to Micky (jockey) and the owners and make a decision. We could see him down the straight next start, but we’ll have to have a talk to the team.”
With the added fitness on his side, the colt improved considerable from his first up second.
“Personally, I think it was fitness. He loomed up that last start to win. Today, with that run under the belt, two weeks between runs, he was tough all-the-way through the line,” Hayes said.
“He trained on beautifully from his first-up run where he peaked a little bit. I thought Michael took luck out of the equation, he went forward, travelled beautifully and he gave a really good kick and was strong through the line.
“He’s a horse that we’ve always had a bit opinion of, and to see him come out and do this today is really exciting and going forward we will have fun planning with Yulong where to go.”
A $350,000 purchase for Yulong Investments when offered by Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds through their Magic Million National Weanling Sale draft, Tycoon Star was sold to Lindsay Park Racing for $400,000 when consigned by Yulong to the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Tycoon Star is the first foal of the stakes performed Equinao mare Miss Iano, with her second foal being a 2yo colt by Home Affairs named Marffiano who is also in the Lindsay Park stable.
Interestingly, Yulong purchased Miss Iano for $310,000 from the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, with the mare visiting Written Tycoon with that resultant foal being a colt born last season, and she is in foal once again to the very same stallion.
Tycoon Star is one of 78 black-type winner for Yulong’s flagship stallion, Written Tycoon, who is listed as Private Fee for the upcoming covering season.
