Tycoon Ace preparing for his final tilt at the Weetwood Handicap for Team Sears

He’s gone close before, and now nine-year-old Tycoon Ace is looking to go one better in the Weetwood for Tony and Maddy Sears.

Tony and Maddy Sears. Photo: Bev Lacey

RACING: He’s the Ace up the sleeve of Team Sears that could hand the father-daughter duo their place in Weetwood history.

Tycoon Ace is gearing up for his third and likely final tilt at Toowoomba’s biggest race, the Toowoomba Audi Centre Weetwood Handicap (1200m).

The nine-year-old veteran ran second in the 2019 edition, the last time the race was held in the autumn.

With the event switching to the spring in line with the Carnival of Flowers for the first time last year, Tony Sears is hoping the stable gem is ready to bloom at the right time.

Should the gelding take out Saturday’s feature event, it will mark the only time a father-daughter training duo have taken out the Listed event.

“He’s all good. We’ve given him just the one run this time in,” Sears said.

“He went good at the Sunshine Coast and everything is going well with him. He had that race and then we gave him another jumpout in between.

“That’s what we normally do with him. He had a gallop on the course proper (on Tuesday) and went good.”

The old boy was strong to the line first-up at Caloundra when working home nicely in an open event, finishing less than a length behind King Klaus.

The winner of 11 races from 49 starts and just shy of $500,000 in prizemoney, Sears has indicated this will be Tycoon Ace’s last shot at the $150,000 Weetwood, and he’s hoping that he can add the feature to his coffers.

“This will be his last year. I’m not saying we’ll retire him after the Weetwood but this could be his last preparation,” he said.

“Last year he had an interrupted preparation because of wet tracks.

“This time around we’ve totally targeted him for this race. He’ll be at his top.

“If he can get half a decent barrier, he’s got a light weight, won almost half a million and knows his way around the track.

“Kyle (Wilson-Taylor) rode him at work and will ride him on Saturday. He’s a good rider and we’re happy to have him on.

“We’ve had a lot of horses that are stable favourites, but he’s one that every year he comes up and wins a few.”

Team Sears is set for an assault on the feature races throughout the day, including filly Straight Alphas flying the flag for the stable in the Toowoomba Truck Spares Pat O’Shea Plate (1000m).

The juvenile was an impressive winner of her only barrier trial last week, and while Sears said it’s always hard to line up against unraced horses, his filly was in good order.

“She should be a very good chance,” he said.

“We’ve only given her the one trial and she won pretty easily. It’s hard to tell with Brisbane horses. You don’t know how to line those horses up.

“But ours has done very well and will race in blinkers this time. She’s a very fast filly that gets out of the barriers quickly and will put herself somewhere close to the lead.”

Sears rates the stable’s best chance of the day in the $100,000 Magic Millions Garden City Guineas (1625m), where Red Wave lines up.

“He’s owned by Maddysen and one of our good clients, and he’s one of our best chances all day,” he said.

“He’s still learning but he was unlucky not to win last start (at Eagle Farm). He’s worked terrific and we expect him to be hard to beat on his home track. He’s a fairly decent horse.”

Kaylee McKeown. Picture: Alex Coppel

Olympic golden girl heading to Weetwood

RACING: She became one of Australia’s golden girls of the pool with an unforgettable Olympics campaign in Tokyo.

Now triple gold medallist Kaylee McKeown is set to shine at Toowoomba’s feature race day.

The 20-year-old will be a special guest at Clifford Park for Weetwood Handicap day, and she can’t contain her excitement.
“I’ve never been to the races before. I’m so excited,” McKeown said.
“I’ve always wanted to go but haven’t had the time or chance to make a weekend of it.”

Another aspect of the day McKeown is anticipating is the fashion, where she will have a special role on the day.

“Myer is dressing me. It’s a bit springy and a bit younger looking, something suited to me,” she said.

“It’s a piece by Elliatt. It’s a cool dress and I’m super excited to flaunt it.
“I’ll also be judging the fashions on the field. Pick something fun, fashionable, comfy and confident to wear.

“I just really want to see what Toowoomba has to offer. I’m excited to get behind it and see what the races is all about.”

The star swimmer has enjoyed a bit of downtime since returning back to Queensland after an amazing Tokyo campaign.

She said the support from the whole of Australia has been amazing.

“It hasn’t been too busy, it’s been really nice to have a bit of time to relax,” she said.

“I’m slowly starting to get back into the swing of things.

“It (Olympics) gave people something to do, especially because of Covid. It just drew them to the TV and really helped us as a nation to get up and cheer. It was exciting to watch.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to go and do as well as I had done. I had so much support and even though it wasn’t in the grandstands, it was all there on social media and the support the team received was amazing.”