8 Win Saturday - Tokyo Tycoon Group 3 - Remains Unbeaten

Rising star Tokyo Tycoon (2 g Satono Aladdin - All About The Coin, by Starcraft) made it four from four with another compelling victory in the $85,000 Fairview Matamata Slipper (Gr. 3, 1200m) on Saturday at Matamata.
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After providing Te Akau their seventh consecutive $1m Karaka Million 2YO (Restricted Listed, 1200m) on 21 January at Pukekohe, with a stunning performance, he recorded their 10^th Matamata Slipper, after winning most recently in 2021 with Champion Two-Year-Old Sword of State (Snitzel), who stands now at Cambridge Stud.

Reported to have come through his Karaka Million success with flying colours and continuing to thrive in the month since, Tokyo Tycoon stripped in impeccable order and delivered accordingly.

Content to bide time last in a field of five, he sprang on his rival in the straight before going on to score by two and three-quarter lengths over stable-mate Trobriand (Kermadec) who had won three from three before finishing third to Tokyo Tycoon in the Karaka Million.

“He's so good,” said jockey Craig Zackey, who also rode him last start. “He's developed a new character instinct that he sort of shows off now, but that's him.”

Zackey, the reigning Champion South African apprentice, is heading home following the meeting and hopes to return in July. He rode seven stakes winners this season, including Prise De Fer (Savabeel) and Synchronize (Savabeel) for Te Akau, while also providing the record-breaking 100^th win for trainer Mark Walker when Pure Imagination (Darci Brahma) won on 13 January at Tauranga. 

On footing upgraded to Heavy9, Tokyo Tycoon ran 1200 metres in 1:12.2, last 600m in 35.5, and as hot favourite paid $1.80 & $1.20 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was a good win and he's a really exciting horse,” Walker said. “It just shows that you don't have to spend huge money to get a good one and he's one out of the box.

“Craig (Zackey) has given him a couple of really good rides and the horse has certainly responded.”

Owned by Meadowbank Masters Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) & Te Akau Satono Samurai Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Tokyo Tycoon, who took earnings to $648,000, was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, paying $125,000, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud.  

“He looks like a really top horse and seems to do everything right,” Ellis said. “He's sound, good in the stables, from a great family, and hopefully he continues to improve as he matures.

“It's a great achievement by everyone involved to have won this race 10 times, and a special thrill to get the quinella, and just a great reward for all the staff that work so hard preparing these horses. 

“He'll now be aimed toward the two Group One two-year-old races: the Sistema Stakes and the Sires' Produce Stakes and he shapes up to prove hard to beat.”

Son of sire sensation Deep Impact, Satono Aladdin won the highest rated mile in Japan: Tokyo Yasuda Kinen (Gr. 1, 1600m) when running an incredible 1:31.5.

All About The Coin is by New Zealand bred stallion Starcraft (Soviet Star), a world-class galloper and five-time Group One winner that claimed titles of Champion 3YO in Australia, Champion Sprinter in New Zealand, and Champion Miler in Europe.

The dam-line goes back to Champion Sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram), being out of fourth dam Lady Giselle (Nureyev). 

Tokyo Tycoon was strapped by Stephanie Hyde-Richards.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz