Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer Ben Hayes has his eye on the big picture with Blue Diamond placegetter Tycoon Star but he’s certainly not conceding Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Darley Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick to the short-priced favourite Wodeton.

Ben Hayes (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The colt has been something of an underdog in his four starts to date, jumping $18 in his debut win in the Maribyrnong Plate and $17 in the Diamond, but Hayes said he proved at Caulfield that he’s worthy of a shot at the Golden Slipper but will benefit from some experience in Sydney.

Tycoon Star was $10 with TAB on Friday in the Todman and $17 in the Slipper.

“It’s important that he has a run on the Sydney leg,’’ Hayes said.

“It’s exciting times, we’re taking on the favourite for the Slipper and it’ll be a good guide to where we are at.

“I think we’ll be able to hit the Slipper fourth-up and ready to go.”

It was an eye-catching performance in the first two-year-old Group 1 of the season as Tycoon Star stormed home from near last, off a tempo that didn’t suit, into third place.

Hayes, who co-trains with brothers Will and JD, would like Tycoon Star to make some use of a more favourable barrier and is confident he can be just as effective.

“I don’t think he needs to settle back last, he should be able to land in a nice midfield position and I think he will sprint really well,’’ he said.

“I’m very happy with him, his run in the Blue Diamond was excellent off a slow tempo. He was second-up at the 1200m and hit the line nice and strong.

“He was widest around the bend, made a long sustained run and probably just peaked 50m from home. He wasn’t beaten very far in a race that ended up being a sit and sprint.

“He really came out of it well and did everything right.”

Tycoon Star is assured of a Golden Slipper run as he sits eighth in the order of entry.

Here To Shock returns to Sydney for the first time since the Big Dance and he arrives as a last start Group 1 winner following a successful New Zealand raid last month.

The seven-year-old banked $1 million from his spring campaign in Sydney through wins in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill.

While Hayes concedes the Group 1 $750,000 Toyota Forklifts Canterbury Stakes (1300m) is a deeper contest he isn’t badly suited with his on pace style.

“He’s a fine wine, he’s got better with age,’’ Hayes said.

“As a young horse his temperament let him down, he was a very hot horse and used to get himself worked up for races.

“He’s a horse with a high cruising speed and he’s in great order.

⚜️ Speak of the devil!!! 😈

A PHENOMENAL run from Yulong-owned 2YO colt Devil Night (Extreme Choice), landing the G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield on only his second start! 💎

Credit also to Tycoon Star (#WrittenTycoon), flying home for a stunning third despite a wide draw 💫 pic.twitter.com/7s1c2WosVQ

— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) February 22, 2025

Tycoon Star runs third in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Video: Yulong)

“He’s had a tickover jump out since getting back from New Zealand and his work on Wednesday was excellent. It’s obviously a very hot race but I think he’s improved from when you last saw him up there.

“I know he’ll be getting us out of our seats, he’s a happy horse and very fit and healthy and just consistently performing for the stable.”

Here To Shock has gate two with Nash Rawiller boasting three wins from four rides on the gelding.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick