Tough Strong and loads of untapped ability.
What an outstanding effort at only his 3rd start by Bennett Racing 3yo colt Southport Tycoon on Saturday in the Gr3 Guinea’s Prelude 1400m narrowly missing by a 1/2 head.
The Ciaron Maher / Dave Eustace trained son of Champion sire Written Tycoon made his debut at Geelong on 11th August winning easily after being a big market drifter. Subsequent form from that race would prove strong. At his 2nd start Southport Tycoon ran into a boom colt at Sandown over 1300m and after looking down and out he rallied strongly and eventually won the battle running away.
On Saturday in the Gr3 Guinea’s Prelude he faced a field littered with Group winners and stakes performed colts. Easily one of the most lightly raced in the field, Southport Tycoon began well under Harry Coffey who settled him midfield. Travelling well down the side and with the short priced fav Steparty on his outside 3 wide, Southport approached the turn with a wall in front of him. Given an 11 out of 10 ride by Harry Coffey he took the gap on turning and set out after the leader Scentify. Steparty and Scheelite were back and wide but running on out wide. Just as Southport Tycoon and Scentify looked to have it, the 2 out wide were flying and the 4 of them went across the line with just a head between them. Steparty did best and got the decision over Southport Tycoon who just nailed Scentify on the line and a breath back to Scheelite. These 4 were clearly ahead of the rest. The time was good 3.24 lens better than Standard time off a solid tempo. Southport Tycoon was very steady throughout the run but he tried to win it between the 600-200m running splits of 11.55s and 11.03s – 22.58s for the 400m. All those around him at the finish were slower through that section. Summary: What a performance by this Colt. There was nearly a neck between the first 4 colts home and they gapped the rest.
The reality of it is stepping up from midweek Metro class to a Group 3 race is always an ask and to do what this colt is doing at only his 3rd start and against more seasoned colts is outstanding and a testament to not only his undoubted ability but his will and desire to win. Not all horses have it but Southport has it in spades.
A special mention to the Maher/ Eustace Team and Declan Maher and his Ballarat Team. Their patience in the way this colt has been handled out of their Ballarat Stables is testament to their training ability and knowing the colt inside out. If he has come through it well, the Caulfield Guineas next is a possible target. He is in his 1st prep and there are lots of great options both now and in the Autumn for this exciting horse.
A well bred colt by a Champion sire and bred on the same cross as Champion filly Coolangatta, Southport Tycoon was a 300k purchase from the Magic Millions Sale and from the Daandine Stud draft – breeders of Written Tycoon and Capitalist to name a few.
Congratulations to all owners in Southport Tycoon whose record now stands at 3 starts for 2 wins and a head 2nd in a Group 3 race and earnings of over 131k.
A special colt with loads of ability, untapped potential and competitive will to win money cannot buy.