“Best bet of the day”: Last-start Maher winner tipped to salute at Randwick

Southport Tycoon is being confidently tipped to take out the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old races third-up this preparation on the back of a scintillating last-start victory at The Valley in late September.

Southport Tycoon won the Group 1 Manikato Stakes on that occasion, flying from the rear of the field to knock off stablemate and Everest fancy Growing Empire on the winning post.

Maher is expecting him to improve off that effort which will again make him mighty hard to beat over 1200m.

“He’s thriving, Southport,” Maher said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up.

“It was only his second start this preparation. He couldn’t have been any more explosive.

“He’ll be sharper at his third run this prep and his second go in blinkers, for sure.”

Form analysts Mick Gannon and Dean Watling have both been buoyed by Maher’s comments.

They’re expecting the speed to be right on in a massive field which allows Mark Zahra from barrier five to balance Southport Tycoon in the run before unleashing a withering burst.

While Gannon likes Climbing Star at a price to run a drum, he rates Southport Tycoon as the bet of the day in Sydney.

“Climbing Star is a huge price, and if she runs anywhere near what she’s done in South Australia when winning the Group 1 Sangster (in April)...,” said Gannon.

“She’ll be flashing home and is a horse that is over the odds at around $15.

“But the clear bet of the race and probably the best bet of the day is Southport Tycoon.

“I don’t think the horse has to improve on last start to win anyway.

“Southport Tycoon clearly on top and you can have a quinella with Climbing Star.”

Watling concurs, believing the son of Written Tycoon’s strong form beyond 1200m will hold him in good stead in this particular event.

“I look back to see who has got the best turn of foot in the race and who is going to get the best run, and that is Southport Tycoon,” said Watling.

“Mark Zahra’s job is just to land off rails in run and I think this horse will absolutely eat up a fast-run 1200m.

“We know his 1400-1600m form is elite, so I think Southport Tycoon is one of the better bets on the program.”

Southport Tycoon is currently rated the $4.80 favourite with Sportsbet for the Sydney Stakes.

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