9 Sep 2023Tokyo Tycoon saves his best for when it matters the most as he proved again in his three-year-old return at Hastings.
The high-class son of Satono Aladdin picked up where he left off from last season when he overcame the outside barrier to thump his rivals in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy over 1200 metres.
We are blessed to share in the ownership of the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Tokyo Tycoon, who rarely excels away from the races.
“It just goes to show that trackwork is trackwork and trials are trials and on race day he comes good,” Walker said. “He’s just a little champ.”
Tokyo Tycoon will return to Hastings in three weeks’ time for the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas and while nominated for the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, he is unlikely to be heading south.
“I don’t think 1600 or 2000 metres will bother him, he might even get 2400 metres because he’s just so relaxed,” Walker said.
“It’s a big trip to Riccarton and the Karaka Million is now $1.5 million so that’s a nice race to aim at.”
Tokyo Tycoon jumped well from his wide gate before rider Opie Bosson allowed him to drift back to third last.
They were on the move near the turn and the gelding accelerated sharply in the run home to put his opposition away with ease.
“He’s a bit like me, he doesn’t like putting in too much at trackwork and gives his all on race day,” Bosson said.
“The better track was ideal for him and there was quite a bit of speed to I opted to slot in and got a nice drag into it. He’s just a class act.”
Tokyo Tycoon was bred by Rich Hill Stud and Te Akau boss David Ellis secured the son of the winning Starcraft mare All About The Coin at Karaka for $125,000.
He won all five of his two-year-old starts, including the Karaka Million, but was unfortunately disqualified due to a positive post-race result after also claiming top honours in the G1 Sistema Stakes.