Bennett Racing has bold spring ambitions for All Aged Stakes contender Southport Tycoon
Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon is set to have his final run of the prep in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes before three big spring races are put on his radar.
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Exciting colt Southport Tycoon could announce himself as a genuine The Everest contender when the Ciaron Maher-trained colt hunts consecutive Group 1s in Saturday’s $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
That’s the hope of managing owner Nathan Bennett, whose Bennett Racing operation are dreaming big with their brilliant son of Written Tycoon.
Southport Tycoon has given his connections every reason to do so after providing the syndicator with a maiden Group 1 victory in the Australian Guineas last month.
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He is a great chance of delivering another memorable moment in the All Aged before Bennett Racing and Maher look to raise the bar even higher in the spring.
Bennett has revealed bold ambitions to target the $20 million The Everest later this year with the $10 million Golden Eagle and $5 million Cox Plate among the options for Southport Tycoon.
“If he goes to the paddock (after Saturday), we will have our eyes on The Everest in the spring,” Bennett said.
“He is pretty sharp as well. He did nearly win over 1200m (Australia Stakes) and if he got out of the barriers that day, he probably would have won.
“He was a bit more immature then. He has learnt his craft a bit this preparation so The Everest wouldn’t be out of the question and the Golden Eagle is definitely on the radar.
“A Cox Plate is also on the radar and that’s the best thing about him, Ciaron thinks he can win 1200m out to 2000m so he is a pretty versatile colt.”
TAB currently rates Southport Tycoon as an $11 chance in Golden Eagle betting while he is $51 for the Cox Plate and not currently listed in The Everest markets.
Southport Tycoon was originally set to line up in the Doncaster Mile but a wide gate and wet track saw Maher pull the pin on running the valuable colt in the $4 million handicap.
Maher has given Southport Tycoon a second tickover trial instead as the colt prepares to have his first start since winning the Guineas back on the first weekend of March.
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The Australian Guineas has already proven to be excellent form with runner-up Veight winning the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at his next start while third placegetter Riff Rocket claimed both the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.
Bennett is confident Southport Tycoon is ready to produce another strong showing at his first start in Sydney.
“We are pretty excited about it,” he said.
“He has drawn a good barrier, he’s in good form and looks like he goes pretty well the Sydney way of going and has trialled up a treat.
“He has worked the house down and couldn’t be in any better condition either.
“He is a pretty nice fresh horse as well, he likes being fresh so it all maps pretty well for him.”
Victorian-based riding superstar Jamie Kah will partner Southport Tycoon in the All Aged where the colt is a $6 third elect behind Espiona ($3.90) and Sunshine In Paris ($4.40).
Bennett Racing could be in for a massive day at Randwick with the Annabel Neasham-trained Fawkner Park also set to step out in the syndicator’s black, orange and white silks.
Fawkner Park ($4.60) is one of the leading chances in the Group 3 $250,000 JRA Plate (2000m) after returning to top form with a strong win in the Listed Albury Cup (2000m).
The imported son of Zoffany gets in with a lightweight of 53.5kg with in-form jockey Tyler Schiller aboard.
“Fawkner Park gets in well at the weights, he is in good form,” Bennett said.
“We took him down to Melbourne and he had a sore pec muscle so whether that was laid in the whole way down the straight.
“We thought maybe he didn’t get the Melbourne way of going but that might not have been the case.
“He came out in the Albury Cup and beat them pretty convincingly so he is in good order and should run well.”
Fawkner Park earned Big Dance eligibility with his win in the Albury Cup but Bennett hopes the gelding is aiming up at Group 1s when the spring rolls around.
Originally published as Bennett Racing has bold spring ambitions for All Aged Stakes contender Southport Tycoon
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