The Ciaron Maher stable will get a better guide to potential autumn targets for Southport Tycoon after his return run at Moonee Valley.
Southport Tycoon resumes in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) on Friday night, a race he finished second behind Veight in last year.
The son of Written Tycoon went on to claim the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington two starts later while last spring with Mark Zahra aboard, Southport Tycoon scored a stunning last stride win in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes over Friday night’s course and distance.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, said there were loads of options for Southport Tycoon, but first the stable wants to see whether the entire may now be purely a sprinter rather than a miler during his three-year-old year.
“Whether we target an All-Star Mile and whether we take him up to Sydney to run in something like the Doncaster, he’ll tell us,” Turnbull said.
“He may be a better sprinter now that he’s an older horse, or maybe he is that middle distance horse again.
“We’ve had blinkers on, blinkers off, he’s won at six, he’s won at a mile and he’s obviously a valuable stallion, so we just need to be mindful of that.”
Friday night’s outing will be Southport Tycoon’s first since running fourth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 16, but as part of his preparation for his return, the entire has had two jump-outs at Cranbourne, the most recent when second to Just Folk over 1000m on January 13.
Southport Tycoon, who has drawn barrier two and will be ridden by Zahra, will line up against eight opponents on Friday night which include Steparty (barrier 8), It’Sourtime (5), Schwartz (9) and Poison Chalice (1).
“We think he’s come up well and he only had a short break after that last prep,” Turnbull said.
“He’s obviously proven at The Valley, he’s fresh, he’s in good form.
“The six (furlongs) won’t be any problem for him and his fitness levels are quite good.”
