21 Jan 2023It’s often said in racing that good barriers win races, but it’s also true that bad draws don’t always blunt the brilliance of top-quality horses.
Precocious youngster Tokyo Tycoon proved that point in stunning fashion when he overcame a slow start from the outside stall but one to reign supreme in New Zealand’s richest two-year-old race.
The son of Satono Aladdin, who we are so fortunate to share in the ownership of, kept his unbeaten record intact with a breath-taking performance at Pukekohe to win the Listed $1 million Karaka Million.
Tokyo Tycoon had been successful in both of his lead-up outing for trainer Mark Walker and all credit goes to him, Te Akau chief David Ellis who bought the youngster out of breeder Rich Hill Stud’s draft at Karaka for $125,000 and to jockey Craig Zackey for an inspired ride.
“We had a Plan A, B and C and that was Plan C, but he was the best horse in the race and he’s untapped,” Walker said.
To complicate matters further, Tokyo Tycoon was slow to jump from his outside gate and settled at the tail of the field before thundering home in the straight for a stunned Zackey, who has made such an impression since arriving from South Africa.
“I moved here and have now won one of the biggest races,” he said. “Mark left it up to me and the horse didn’t come out the best and he hunted down eight or nine lengths in the straight.
“That’s what good horses do and I’m so glad of the support from Mark Walker, he’s got a massive operation and all credit to Tokyo Tycoon, he’s a superstar.”