Tycoon Tara stars as First Seal falters

it doesn’t look like Tycoon Tara will be off to stud any time soon with the mare racking up her third Group win from four Sydney starts in the Golden Pendant at Rosehill.

Formerly trained in Victoria, Tycoon Tara was sent to Peter and Paul Snowden to try to get a stakes win before heading to the broodmare barn.

But her latest victory over a field which included Group One winner First Seal is likely to delay that plan until next season.

The $4.80 second favourite behind First Seal ($2.80) in Saturday’s Golden Pendant (1400m), Tycoon Tara took up the running and was never in danger, beating Dixie Blossoms ($12) by two lengths,

First Seal moved up in the straight as if to challenge, but made little impression at her first start since she injured herself in the autumn, finishing fifth.

“This was going to be her grand final today,” Peter Snowden said.

“Every time I think that might do her, she does that.

“I really don’t know where we will go.

“She is race-hard fit and is thriving here in Sydney. She had form before she got here but i think she is in a very good spot at the moment and she loves being up here.

Maybe its the different direction, I am not sure.”

First Seal’s trainer John Thompson could only shake his head but her jockey Blake Shinn was convinced there was improvement to come.

“We had nice run off a pretty solid tempo,” Shinn said.

“Coming into the bend I thought we had a realistic winning chance.

“I just think first-up 1400, she probably was found wanting a bit late but she’ll improve with the run. I think next time she’ll go close.”

Shinn rode Tycoon Tara to her Missile Stakes win in August but with his commitment to First Seal, Josh Parr got the welcome call-up.

Having spent eight months on the sidelines with a hip problems which eventually needed surgery, Parr is slowly rebuilding his career.

Parr rode his first Group One winner on Skilled in the 2010 Champagne Stakes for Snowden who was pleased to be able to give the popular jockey the ride.

“Josh rated her really well and it’s good for him to get a win like that,” Snowden said.

Parr said Tycoon Tara was an easy horse to ride.

“She’s push-button,” he said.

“She gave me an easy time and a great ride.

“I’m pumped.”