Tycoon’s Dream Season Gets Group One Glow

Already one of New Zealand’s standout two-year-olds of the last few seasons, Te Akau Racing’s latest pin-up Karaka graduate Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) raised the bar again at Pukekohe on Saturday.

A dominant victory in the $320,000 Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) was the fifth win in a flawless five-start career for the rising superstar, who was bought by David Ellis for $125,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2022. He has now earned $832,025 in stakes, which is almost seven times his purchase price.

Tokyo Tycoon has been getting better and better with every trip to the races, starting with his first two wins at Te Rapa and Pukekohe, followed by extraordinary last-to-first triumphs in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and the Group Three Matamata Slipper (1200m).

The exciting gelding was the $1.30 favourite to deliver more of the same in Saturday’s Sistema Stakes, and the result was never really in any doubt. Jockey Opie Bosson had him cruising behind the pace-setting Ulanova (NZ) (Santos), and then he pushed the button in the straight and went for Group One gold.

Tokyo Tycoon surged forward, overpowering a gallant Ulanova and clearing out to win by two and a half lengths. Ulanova held second, with a similar margin back to Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) in third.

“Ulanova fought back and I might have been a bit worried for about five strides, but then he balanced up, changed legs and quickened up nicely,” Bosson said.

“I think he’s right up there with the best two-year-olds I’ve ridden. He’s still untapped, and he’s so laid-back – you don’t know if he’s going to actually gallop or not. When you’re around at the start, he feels like he’s about to go to sleep. But once those gates open, he’s a different horse.”

Tokyo Tycoon is trained by Mark Walker, who has been enormously impressed with his undefeated campaign.

“I was a bit surprised that he jumped and put himself so close today, but he travelled so well and Opie just sat and waited,” he said. “He just goes out there and knows what his job is.

“David Ellis picked him out at the sales and he didn’t cost a fortune, which shows anyone can be involved. In fact, we still had shares available in him in June of last year. He was our last horse to sell that year.”

Tokyo Tycoon was bred and sold by Rich Hill Stud, and he became the first Group One winner for their young shuttle stallion Satono Aladdin.

Meanwhile, runner-up Ulanova was a $150,000 purchase by Mick Wallace from the Book 1 draft of Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka 2022. She has had six starts for two wins, a second and three fourths, earning $178,325 so far.

Vendor	Rich Hill Stud
Purchaser	Mr DC Ellis (Te Akau)
Breeding	Satono Aladdin – All About The Coin
Sale	Lot 77, Karaka 2022 Book 1, $125,000
Bred by	Rich Hill Thoroughbreds Ltd