The Chris Waller-trained Tycoonist has ended a frustrating run of minor placings, leading throughout to score an overdue win at Rosehill.
The $2.15 favourite had finished in the minors at his past three starts but under his 60kg top weight, he got the job done on Saturday, staving off the late charge of Bazooka ($7) to score by a long head with Zariya ($17) another 1-1/2 lengths away third.
“He’s been very consistent. He’s a decent horse,” Waller said.
“With the big weight today and the heavy conditions, we didn’t know what to expect. We wanted to be positive and he ended up leading, which is probably not perfect, but you just try to take luck out of the equation when he’s been so unlucky this preparation.”
Waller revealed the son of top stallion Written Tycoon had attracted the eye of Hong Kong buyers and felt he would be the ideal type of horse to flourish under Asian conditions.
If a sale doesn’t eventuate, Tycoonist is likely to be targeted towards next year’s Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast.
“There has been a bit of interest from Hong Kong and I think he’s the perfect horse for there,” Waller said.
“But if he doesn’t sell, he’s a Magic Millions-type horse and the owners will have a lot of fun getting him through his grades and winning a bit of prize money.”
Tommy Berry partnered the winner and admitted he was concerned he would be run down over the final stages before Tycoonist fought on bravely.
“I thought I was beaten at about the hundred but he toughed it out well and he got the well-deserved win we’ve all been waiting for,” Berry said.
“This time of year, winter time, is his time. He’s a fit horse and fit horses on these heavy tracks, they’re the ones you want to be on and I’m glad I was on him today.”
