The Lindsay Park operation run by Ben, Will and J D Hayes anticipates that a few adjustments will help draw the optimum from Tycoon Star during the Morphettville meeting.
The colt Tycoon Star is set to compete in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) this Saturday, where a strong showing could pave the way for an entry into the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9.
The Lindsay Park trainers have reintroduced the visor into Tycoon Star’s equipment, but the key alteration involves securing James McDonald to ride.
Ben Hayes mentioned that the team had considered blinkers once more for Tycoon Star prior to choosing the visor.
“The visor and the best jockey in the world on Saturday and hopefully that makes a difference and then he stays on for the Goodwood,” Hayes said.
“Unfortunately, the line keeps coming up too quick for him, but he does have the ability.
He’s performed well against the best and we’re hoping The Goodwood will be a nice race for him to really have a go at.”
The gelding Tycoon Star has placed in several top two and three-year-old contests around Australia, including a runner-up finish last time out in the Redelva Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 11.
Reserve Bank, victor in last year’s The Goodwood, took out both the Redelva Stakes and Tobin Bronze Stakes beforehand, while Royal Merchant, who claimed the 2023 Goodwood, also succeeded in the Tobin Bronze.
Hayes expects the firmer track conditions at Morphettville this Saturday to elicit a better effort from Stung in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
Stung claimed the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) on March 28 but ended up well back in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) on April 11.
“She drew wide and went back to the rail and it was a soft track that day and it was the first time she had seen it,” Hayes said.
“She didn’t like it one bit and she had won well at her previous start, so we’ve decided to press on.
She deserves the opportunity.”
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