LAST year's champion two-year-old Grand Tycoon will put his reputation on the line at Mowbray tonight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He will run over 1400 metres for the first time in a trial for the Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) which will be run at Mowbray on New Year's Eve.
His Spreyton trainer Barry Campbell remains in a quandary over whether Grand Tycoon will be able to step up to the distance and said all will be revealed after the $25,000 PFD 3YO Trophy tonight.
``It's the only risk, I really don't know if he can win over 1400m,'' he said.
Grand Tycoon won his first eight starts as a two-year-old before lowering his colours for the first time when narrowly beaten in the Autumn 2YO Classic at Elwick on April 27.
Grand Tycoon is yet to be beaten at Mowbray and this is another ace in his favour according to Campbell.
``He's drawn wide but there doesn't appear to be much pace in the race and I think he can get across without doing a lot of work,'' he said.
After being ridden to all his wins by Brendon McCoull the gelding will have a new rider tonight with Daniel Ganderton taking over.
``Daniel rode for me early in his career before he moved interstate,'' he said.
``Daniel rode Grand Tycoon in a gallop last Saturday and it was good for him to get a feel of the horse.''
For the past few months Ganderton has been riding in Western Australia before being lured home.
If he can perform well tonight and prove he can handle 1400m Campbell said Grand Tycoon was then likely to start in the $90,000 Tasmanian Guineas in a fortnight.
``If he doesn't then we can change tack and set him for some of the shorter distance three-year-old races like the Carbine Club Plate and Magic Millions Classic to be run over the Hobart and Launceston Cup carnivals,'' he said.
McCoull has shown his hand by sticking with consistent youngster Havana Stash for the training partnership of David and Scott Brunton.