Tyzone Earns Stradbroke Start with Bold BRC Sprint Win

The Toby Edmonds-trained Tyzone has cemented himself as a favourite for next month’s $1.5 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap after a thrilling win during Saturday’s BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben.

The gelding by Written Tycoon found himself back and wide at the 500m mark chasing down the favourites before jockey Blake Shinn pushed the button down the straight. Tyzone wound up over the final furlong to finish over the top by two lengths, an effort good enough to earn the five-year-old his 16th win from 31 starts.

Chapter and Verese, above, entered Saturday’s BRC Sprint race as the $2.70 favourite. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.

Tyzone was unlucky when eighth at Randwick over 1200m last month, but now looks a strong chance as he gears up for a Group 1 debut at Eagle Farm on June 8.

Shinn received plenty of criticism for his previous shortcomings on the horse but now thinks Tyzone is a real chance to claim the Stradbroke prize-money.

“He was sensational today. I rode him last time, and he was a tragedy beat I felt, but today I kept him out of trouble, we had a wider barrier and he really showed his true colours” Shinn said after the win.

“It was a great victory and it’ll be interesting to see what Toby (Edmonds) does with him. That’s a race that will get him into the Stradbroke and he might be a real lightweight chance.”

After so many doubts surrounding the trip, Shinn went on to say how pleased he was with Tyzone’s effort to hit the line under very little instruction.

“I was back and wide and just allowed him to get into a nice rhythm. The tempo was very strong and I just let him build up at the 550m. He picked them up at the 200m, I didn’t even hit the horse, I didn’t need to. He won with plenty in hand as you can see he’s pulled up well.”

There was no such luck for Saturday’s race-favourite Chapter and Verse, however, who found himself trapped on the inside to finish outside the placings. Tyzone, meanwhile, has firmed from $17.00 into $10.00 for the Stradbroke with Ladbrokes, a race Edmonds fully intends to target.

“We were in two minds about which way to go today and winning as impressive as he did, I think he warrants going to the Stradbroke now. He’s such a prolific winner and an honest horse and gives his all” Edmonds said.

Full 2019 Stradbroke Handicap odds can be viewed below.