Power Packed Maiden Produces an Upset

With the favourite Danawi scratched after dumping Hugh Bowman on the way to the barrier, the 1200 metre two year-old maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday unfolded in a way punters had not foreseen with Hussonet (USA) first starter Golden Tycoon leading throughout to win as he pleased at $11.

On paper it looked a very strong maiden with blue-blooded colts Sneaking to Win (Snitzel) and England (Fastnet Rock) expected to show up, while Exceed and Excel colt Danawi, the first foal of Secret Admirer, was sent out a hot favourite before his withdrawal.

While Sneaking to Win and England settled back in the field, Golden Tycoon bounced away and gave them all a galloping lesson to race clear and win by nearly two lengths with England finishing on for third and Sneaking to Win a battling fifth.

One person not surprised was Golden Tycoon's trainer Greg McFarlane, who had faith in his colt after he posted an impressive Newcastle barrier trial win on July 12.

"If I was a punter looking at the form I would have had him favourite," he said.

"I've had a lot to do with the family. I trained his mother and bought his half-brother Super Tycoon and the owners gave him to me to train.

"We've already knocked back offers from Hong Kong. I think he'll get a mile. He's a really nice horse."

Golden Tycoon is a half-brother to multiple Group II winner and $1.1 million earner Super Cash and is the fifth winner from five foals to race out of good producer Super Bucks

Golden Tycoon is from the second last crop of foals of top class sire Hussonet (USA), who stood first at Arrowfield Stud and then at Cornerstone Stud before his death in 2016 at age 25.