By Neil Evans
A tough Scone-based seven-year-old, which will be aimed at a feature race during his home stand-alone cup carnival in May, can return to winning ways in Thursday’s feature mile at Tamworth.
Sonic Tycoon, a son of prolific sire Written Tycoon, from the Lyle Chandler stable, had been enjoying his most consistent preparation in years until it all went wrong in the Gilgandra Cup earlier this month. That day, as a well-fancied and clear-cut favourite, Sonic Tycoon had a very tough run from the draw on a tight course and failed to finish off, beating only three runners home.
Racing returns to Tamworth on Thursday.Credit: Phil Carrick
Before that, he had shown great versatility and finishing strength to claim consecutive races up to a similar level.
In fact, four of his five career wins from 34 starts have all come over 1600m and on firm ground.
Sonic Tycoon is still relatively lightly raced, considering it is now more than four years since he won on debut at Hawkesbury in late 2020 when based in the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou yard. But he has had a frustrating stop-start career, including a 16-month stint with Brad Widdup at Hawkesbury, during which time he landed only one victory – a benchmark 64 handicap at Gosford over 1600m.
Always a very capable middle-distance galloper, Sonic Tycoon eventually found his way to the Upper Hunter in mid-2023, but again failed to fire, especially over a string of tougher Saturday Highway assignments.
However, a long spell through the middle of 2024, and a plan to keep him more to higher graded country races, has seemingly reignited him.
Despite opening well in the market about $4.60, Sonic Tycoon will have to upstage rival Scone galloper Rematch, which resumes off two progressive trials, as an early $2.30 favourite for the Paul Messara-Leah Gavranich camp.
Further out in the market in a competitive Benchmark 82 Handicap, Subuki ($7) and Jessandi ($9) are both expected to attract each-way market support.
Carrington Stakes abandoned
The listed Carrington Stakes has been abandoned due to a lack of acceptors on Wednesday. The 1400-metre quality handicap was set to be held at Randwick on Saturday, but officials decided to cancel it after only six runners accepted.
Nine were nominated on Monday for the $200,000 open class sprint, and that became 10 on Tuesday when the Ciaron Maher-trained Semana was added after entries were extended.
Potential runners were also acceptors at meetings in Queensland and Victoria.
The Joe Pride-trained Accredited, on a three-race winning streak, appeared an early favourite for the race.
The loss of the race led to a delay in the release of fields for Saturday. The meeting is now down to nine races.
Panya continues rapid recovery after fall
Jockey Beany Panya was cleared on Wednesday of a shoulder fracture as she continues a rapid recovery from a fall at Moruya on Friday. Panya and Blakes Spriggs fell heavily in race six and have been in Canberra Hospital since receiving treatment.
Panya broke her T6 and T7 vertebrae and had spinal fixation surgery on Sunday to insert two rods. She was on her feet and walking briefly the following day. She had scans on her shoulder, but the results showed no breaks on Wednesday.
Both jockeys suffered brain bleeds, but Panya has shown no neurological deficits.
Spriggs is still intubated and in a stable condition in the intensive care unit following surgery to stabilise his broken collarbone and forearm. He has punctured lungs and multiple rib fractures.
with Craig Kerry
