A flashy son of Satono Aladdin, Tokyo Tycoon maintained his unbeaten record when storming home to win the $1,000,000 Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO SW 1200m. In doing so, he became Te Akau’s 7th consecutive Karaka 2YO Million winner.
After winning a trial in November 2023, Tokyo Tycoon debuted at Te Rapa in winning fashion in December 2022. Ridden by Michael McNab in a 2YO Maiden 1100m, it was a brave effort after being interfered with shortly after the jump, and taking the home turn awkwardly – obviously still learning his ring-craft.
He repeated that feat at Pukekohe Park on Boxing Day 2022 when he showed his class and potential with a decisive victory in a 2YO SW+P 1100m, ridden by stable jockey Opie Bosson.
The two wins from two starts saw him with sufficient ‘money in the bank’ to contest the Karaka Million 2YO on 21 January 2023. Returning to the scene of his previous victory, a near disaster unfolded in front of our eyes.
Sent out favourite asa the tote closed, Tokyo Tycoon was contacted shortly after the start then blundered badly, losing ground and settling a clear-cut last. He was still last as they turned for home but the sheer class of rider Craig Zackey, and professionalism of the horse himself, saw Zackey take the initiate and angle out six wide at the 300m. The gelding responded and stormed home powerfully to claim line hours.
Again the favourite for the $80,000 Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper 1200m, Craig Zackey piloted an almost identical race on 25 February 2023 with the gelding coming from back in the field and winning dominantly – taking his record to four starts, four wins.
Tokyo Tycoon became the 10th Matamata Slipper winner for Te Akau.
Tokyo Tycoon stepped out in the $320,000 Group 1 Sistema Stakes 2YO SW 1200m on Auckland Cup Day at Pukekohe in March 2023. He won as he liked, and as a raging red-hot favourite should, with Opie Bosson in the saddle. This victory sees him unbeaten in five 2YO starts. He also became Te Akau’s eighth winner of the Sistema Stakes, five of those wins in the last six years (to 2023).
Tokyo Tycoon is raced by the Meadowbank Masters Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and the Satono Samurai Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) and was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $125,000 from the Karaka Book 1 Sale.
He has raced five times for five wins, earning $832,025 in prize money.