The connections of Southport Tycoon will consider an All-Star Mile start after the Ciaron Maher-trained three-year-old posted an important Group 1 win on his record.
Southport Tycoon took out the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday to claim a wildcard entry into the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on March 16.
“Being a three-year-old colt, maybe it’s worth considering a little bit more, now he’s got that Group 1 on the board,” Maher said.
“It’s a more realistic option but I’m sure they’ll enjoy it tonight and we’ll have some good, healthy conversations about it tomorrow.”
Ridden by Jamie Ka, Southport Tycoon ($19) scored a widening 1-¼ length win from Veight ($4.80) with the $2.50 betting site favourite Riff Rocket a length away third.
Maher said Southport Tycoon was the forgotten horse after his narrow defeat in the Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 10.
“I was very confident last start and I almost doubted myself a little bit,” Maher said.
“Jamie had the barrier (4), and I was confident she had the right barrier to bounce, land in the right spot, and she couldn’t have ridden the horse any better.
“She travelled, followed Veight into the race. You know he’s a genuine, genuine horse and I was very confident coming down the straight.”
For the second week in succession, Kah landed the feature race on the program after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes aboard Hayasugi at Caulfield last week.
Saturday’s victory was Kah’s 11th at Group 1 level and she said the race had worked out like a dream.
“We got into a beautiful spot, the horse I wanted to follow was Veight and we were following him,” Kah said.
“When I popped out at about the 400 (metres) I thought he’s going to run a really nice second and then he just found and found and kept finding.
“The scary thing is he’s so raw still, dumb and immature and he’s got a lot of improvement there.
“But I’ll take that – that was awesome. It’s just been weird these past few weeks.
“This is really cool.”