Southport Tycoon to headline Ciaron Maher’s $10 million Golden Eagle assault

Ciaron Maher won his first The Everest earlier this month, now he’s got his sights set on Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle.

Southport Tycoon is Ciaron Maher’s top seed for the Golden Eagle. Picture: Brett Holburt/Getty Images.

Ciaron Maher looks set to put his faith in a pair of Group 1 milers in his quest for Sydney’s coveted $30 million double on Golden Eagle day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Maher has already claimed Sydney’s richest race with his first $20 million The Everest victory earlier this month when super sprinter Bella Nipotina toughed it out to win the richest race on turf.

Now he’s plotting his maiden $10 million Golden Eagle victory with Group 1 winners Southport Tycoon and Griff both set to get their chance.

Southport Tycoon is an $11 equal third elect for the Golden Eagle on the strength of an excellent spring campaign.

The son of Written Tycoon, a winner of the Australian Guineas at three, doubled his major tally with victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.

SOUTHPORT TYCOON FROM THE CLOUDS! 🔥

The Written Tycoon 4YO wins his 2nd Group 1 ⭐️ @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/Gz97Lfbadq

— Racing.com (@Racing) September 27, 2024

He came to Sydney last start and finished third in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes behind Overpass in his final lead up run for the Golden Eagle.

“He was very good last start,” Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.

“Staying at 1200m was probably not ideal but it was the right step up for this.

“He is a horse that likes high pressure races and the other day in the Sydney Stakes, they kind of went slow and sprinted which was never going to suit him.

“Up to 1500m in a race where there should be some pressure, is perfect for him and this has been a target all prep while the Manikato was a bonus.”

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Meanwhile, Griff has struggled to recaptured his best over the past 12 months after reaching a career peak last spring with an impressive frontrunning victory in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

The son of Trapeze Artist hasn’t finished among the placings in five runs since that his major success but raced without luck last time in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes.

Jimmysstar dominant in the Weekend Hussler! 😤

That brings up 2,000 career winners for Blake Shinn! 👏@[e-mail]/pO156RP6wo

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 12, 2024

“Griff is likely run,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“He was ridden differently a couple of times this prep but is obviously not back to his best.

“He had a couple of positive runs and we thought he was going the right way but this has been the plan.

“1500m will suit but he obviously needs to improve.”

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Maher also has Queensland Oaks winner Socks Nation among his horses still in the nominations for the Golden Eagle however she is unlikely to come to Sydney.

Four internationals are poised to line up in the Golden Eagle, including Japanese raider and hot favourite Ascoli Piceno.

Fellow Japanese galloper Corazon Beat, unbeaten French campaigner Lazzat and England’s talent Lake Forest are also set to line up.

The final field and barrier draw will be revealed on Tuesday.