The underlying ability is present, but Prince Tycoon has been a consistent source of vexation for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable.
For this reason, Prince Tycoon will be equipped with blinkers for the first time as he contests the Quayclean Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prince Tycoon commenced his career with a dazzling display at Caulfield in May last year. This early success earned the then two-year-old a trip to Queensland for the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) at the Gold Coast 13 days later, where he finished in second place.
Those initial two performances gave the stable some encouragement heading into the spring. However, Prince Tycoon failed to live up to expectations, finishing outside the top three in two of his three starts.
After a spell, Prince Tycoon returned with a strong on-pace victory at Bendigo. He then raced in town, finishing third at Caulfield Heath over 1200m before a narrow second in his last start, the Listed A R Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on July 4.
It was following that run that the stable opted to fit him with blinkers.
“We’re going to add a little bit of headgear to him on Saturday,” Young stated.
“He was in front at Flemington last time and he just floated in and out when that horse (winner, Wise Inlaw) came up inside him.
“His last two gallops in the headgear have been good, so hopefully that will work on Saturday and as he’s got a bit of weight, we’ve gone with a claimer.”
Ryan Houston is scheduled to take 2kg off Prince Tycoon’s allocated weight, bringing his impost to 57.5kg.
Young mentioned that Prince Tycoon had also been a source of difficulty due to his barrier manners, a situation that led to the gelding spending time with Julien Welsh.
She indicated that this period of ‘education’ had resulted in improved efforts this campaign.
“He’s shown plenty, but he’s just been a bit funny in the gates,” Young remarked.
“He’s taken a bit of work. We had to send him to Julien Welsh and then got him back.
“This preparation, he’s been excellent, he’s behaved himself, he’s filled out and he’s doing everything right.
Hopefully the blinkers do the trick.”
Prince Tycoon will be looking to make his mark at Caulfield in the Quayclean Handicap. Check out the racing betting markets for the event.
