Epsom-bound Tyzone shines in barrier trial

Stradbroke Handicap winner Tyzone has limbered up for his forthcoming trip to Sydney with a solid third in a Gold Coast barrier trial.

Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Tyzone settled fifth before working home stylishly to place behind the Chris Waller-trained Subpoenaed in a 1000m heat, beaten three-quarters of a length.

Subpoenaed’s time of 1:01.13 was the third fastest of the 1000m heats with Tyzone’s stablemate Invincore clocking the quickest of the morning.

Trainer Toby Edmonds plans to lay a solid platform for the gelding’s return to racing, which is likely to be in the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on September 12.

His main goal in Sydney is the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 3.

The Epsom is also on the agenda for Tyzone’s stablemate Vanna Girl who finished seventh, beaten three lengths, in the same trial as Tyzone.

The mare achieved a hat-trick of wins in black-type races during the Brisbane winter carnival, culminating in her easy victory in the Group Two The Roses at Eagle Farm on June 13.

The Roses was the feature race for fillies at the carnival in lieu of the Queensland Oaks which was mothballed this year as part of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Racing Queensland.

Vanna Girl will begin her Epsom campaign in the Group Two Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 5.

At the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, Australian Guineas winner Alligator Blood scored a narrow but comfortable win in a 1000m jump out between races.

Trainer David Vandyke plans to give the four-year-old another barrier trial at the Sunshine Coast on August 25 before he resumes in a Quality Handicap at Doomben on September 12.

Vandyke expects Alligator Blood will carry the maximum top weight of 61kg in that race before he heads to Sydney for the spring carnival.

The Everest and Golden Eagle are options for Alligator Blood and Vandyke will assess the COVID-19 situation in Melbourne before making further spring plans.