Tyzone plan ramps up

A PLAN 12 months in the making has the final piece added to it in the Group 2 Victory Stakes on Saturday when Tyzone rounds out a preparation aimed entirely at going one better in the Stradbroke Handicap next month.

Co-trainer Trent Edmonds said ever since Tyzone finished second to Trekking last year, it has been the aim to return for another tilt at the famous 1400m Eagle Farm race.

“I think he’s going every bit as good as last year,” Gold Coast-based Edmonds said of Tyzone, who is a $41 chance in Ladbrokes’ all-in market.

“Because he’s had that good form from 12 months ago, weights have hampered him a bit.

“He’s only a small horse and up where it hurts in those races makes it harder for him.

“From the day he ran second last year, we planned to have him firing, knowing he will carry a whole lot less weight than he will in the leadup runs.”

Owner Tom Hedley has been in racing for 40 years but Tyzone holds a special place in his heart.

“He’s the best horse I’ve owned,” Hedley said. “He’s taken us to a level we’ve never been in racing.’’

Hedley celebrated six wins on the card at his home city of Cairns on Thursday.

Now in his third tenure as chairman of the club, Hedley races about 35 horses at any one time but the six-peat was the most times his colours had saluted at the one meeting.

“I had five only a couple of weeks ago and that was pretty good too but you have to pinch yourself really,’’ he said.

The haul started with Rigel, Past Ready, Triumph Star and Centro Superior winning the first four races, before Bet On Love and Full Recognition won the final two events.

It could have been seven winners but Bougatsa came up half a length short in race five.

No prizes for guessing which runner Hedley thought was his best hope on the day. “You wouldn’t believe it, I thought Bougatsa was the best bet of the day,” Hedley said. “I thought he was a certainty!’’

The other Hedley star has been country cups king The Harrovian, who hasn’t been seen since carrying 67kg to win at Cairns on April 30.

He had a little setback with an eye issue after the win but Hedley is hopeful he will make a quick recovery.