Group 1 Manikato Stakes contenders Southport Tycoon and Veight set to trial at Cranbourne

Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon will trial at Cranbourne on Monday ahead of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on AFL Grand Final Eve.

Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon will trial at Cranbourne on Monday ahead of a Group 1 mission in the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on AFL Grand Final Eve.

Southport Tycoon, trained by Ciaron Maher, resumed in Sydney last month with a gallant fifth placing in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).

Manikato-bound Veight, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, is also entered in the same 800m trial on Monday.

Former McEvoy star Hey Doc completed the Australian Guineas-Manikato double in 2017.

Hey Doc won a second Manikato in 2020.

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Southport Tycoon is one of three Maher sprinters, along with Estriella and Recommendation, being aimed at the Manikato this year.

Estriella placed fourth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last start, while Recommendation has won three Group 3 sprints in succession.

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Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Southport Tycoon would be competitive in the Manikato despite the prospect of an exceptionally hot field assembling at The Valley on September 27.

“We’ll see how he competes in the Group 1 sprint,” Turnbull said.

“He’s a very exciting horse, we’re giving him the opportunity to win a Group 1 at 1200m … he’s earned his spot.

“He looks fantastic, looks like an oil painting and if trials well Monday it will be all systems go in the Manikato.”

SOUTHPORT TYCOON and @jamieleekah07 looked sensational winning the $1 million Australian Guineas (G1) at Flemington. @cmaherracing trained the 3-year-old Written Tycoon (@YulongInvest) colt.

Bet the next: https://t.co/HnV7arhwETpic.twitter.com/Kn25IG65d9

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 2, 2024

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Estriella is an $8 chance in TAB’s pre-nominations Manikato market with Southport Tycoon and Recommendation both $15.

Group 1 superstar and The Everest runner-up I Wish I Win is a $4 favourite from Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi ($5), Growing Empire ($6), Veight ($8) and Lady Of Camelot ($9).

“Southport Tycoon has always been a fast horse and we’ve been mindful of him staying at 1200m,” Turnbull said.

“We thought we’d give him the opportunity to go out to a mile and thankfully we did, similar to Griff, who won a Caulfield Guineas, I think they’re more seven furlong horses to 1500m.

“He’s really strengthened and developed a deeper girth, shoulder and hindquarter, with that speed comes on as well.

“He’s a very exciting horse, he’s a stallion and a stallion prospect, so if we can improve his profile this campaign he’s going to be a very valuable asset.”

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Southport Tycoon went back from a wide barrier first-up in Sydney and worked to the line strongly before fitness told late.

“We weren’t beaten far, reports from his jockey were very positive, where he was at in terms of fitness and condition we were very pleased with how he finished in the run,” Turnbull said.

“He’s going to be very competitive in a hot race like the Manikato … it’s a $2m sprint, Group 1, there’s a lot that comes with it and leads to a lot of good options.”

Originally published as Group 1 Manikato Stakes contenders Southport Tycoon and Veight set to trial at Cranbourne