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• December 14, 2023
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_{By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk}

Talented three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon will commence his path towards next month’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m).

Tokyo Tycoon began his three-year-old term in brilliant style when winning the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings first-up, however, the wheels came off his preparation when he found the Heavy9 conditions too taxing at the Hawke’s Bay venue three weeks later when fifth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).

The decision was made by trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson to give the Satono Aladdin gelding a freshen-up and they are pleased with the condition the diminutive gelding has returned in.

“The heavy track tripped him up and when he got home he was pretty tired,” Bergerson said. “The two trips down there caught up with him and we thought it was a good time to give him a break.

“We gave him a quick freshen-up and I am really glad that we did, he is the best he has ever looked. We got a bit of spring grass into him and he looks fantastic.”

While not overly enamoured with his 900m trial at Taupo last month, where he finished fourth, Bergerson said he had a similar showing in his lead-up to the Colin Meads Trophy, so he isn’t overly concerned.

“He is hard to get a line on here at home because he has been laidback. I thought he trialled okay at Taupo, but he has done that before when he won first-up at Hawke’s Bay,” he said.

“He has got the most condition we have ever had on him. He is obviously not the biggest, but he is pretty electric when he is on song. I am really looking forward to it.

“We want to get him to the Karaka Million at the end of January. Hopefully he runs well on Saturday and we can map a path.”

Tokyo Tycoon will be met on Saturday by stablemate Quintessa, with the Shamus Award filly also fresh-up.

Quintessa has won all three of her starts to date, including the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September.

Her preparation was curtailed by a niggly injury following that run and Bergerson is looking forward to resuming her three-year-old campaign on Saturday.

“She is another one that is unassuming here at home but when it comes to raceday, she really turns it on,” Bergerson said.

“She had a bit of a setback following her last run, pulling a muscle in behind, so we gave her a bit of time and rehabbed her slowly.

“She has come back in good order and her work this week has been super. I am really excited to see her step out as well.”

Quintessa could be on a course to meet Tokyo Tycoon once more in the Karaka Million, however, her trainers are also contemplating targeting her at an elite-level assignment instead.

“It is a bit up in the air where we go to after Saturday, whether we get her to that Karaka Million or the Levin Classic (Gr.1, 1600m),” Bergerson said. “We will be guided by Saturday’s performance.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk