Tycoon Tara could be sent to Sydney for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) after she recorded a second straight win at Group level in the 2015 Mannerism Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
Tycoon Tara was too good for her rivals in the 2015 Mannerism Stakes. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Tycoon Tara was caught very wide in the early stages of the race and was positioned in the middle of the field before jockey Ben Melham used some initiative to take the Written Tycoon mare to the lead at the 800 metre mark.
The four-year-old was stepping-up to 1400 metres for the first time and looked to tire slightly in the final stages, but was able to hold off her rivals to prove that her win in the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) was no fluke.
Melham said that he did not want to push Tycoon Tara too hard coming up the hill with a bit more weight on her back this weekend, but was happy to take the four-year-old to the lead when he saw an opportunity.
“I was just a bit concerned about working up the hill and obviously she meets these horses a bit worse in the weights off her win the other day,” Melham said.
“I was happy to be wide and we weren’t going quick and once we went up the hill I was happy to go to the top and control the tempo.
“She is a very underrated mare this and she is very good.
Trainer Symon Wilde admitted after the race that he was concerned that Tycoon Tara’s victory in the Bellmaine Stakes may have been a fluke and he was thrilled to see her prove that was not the case in the Mannerism Stakes.
Wilde said that he is yet to formulate any plans with Tycoon Tara, but he indicated that he was open to the idea of taking her to Sydney for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14.
“The progression of this horse in one preparation is quite astonishing really,” Wilde said.
“We always knew that she had good talent, but I reckon today she stamped herself as a good mare because not a lot went right.
“She has that really quick turn-of-foot and she was back in front after being caught wide and I think that tactically that is really good for her.
“I think that with a mare in form you probably have to keep going and she is a happy horse at home.
“We might look at Sydney, I will have to have a chat with the owners and maybe Ben to see what he thinks about the 1500 in Sydney.
“She has a really bright future.”
Bonaria was well-backed in the lead-up to the Mannerism Stakes, but she was blocked for a run in the straight and was unable to figure in the finish after finding clear running.
