Ararat
Race 5 – Royal Tyke
Jockey – Dean Yendall
1100m – Barrier 9
Written Tycoon gelding Royal Tyke will appreciate a drop in class today when he takes on benchmark-58 company at Ararat. The seven-year-old has been soundly beaten at two runs in stronger grade this preparation but presents fitter for racing this afternoon. Leading Wimmera jockey Dean Yendall hops on today and has around 300-metres from the starting gates to find a forward position before runners hit the turn. Although an easier race on paper, there are a few runners who will prove hard to beat in this grade. Ex-kiwi filly Tantrums was very good first-up before running into a strong form race at Pakenham last start. She’ll settle back and be hard to hold out late. Peri Peri Rich scratched from last night to run here, while Catalina Black Cat and Patrika Gold have both looked good at the jumpouts. Mio Capo hasn’t fired for his new stable but is another who impressed in a recent trial. If Yendall can find a forward spot in the running line and peel out in the straight, Royal Tyke’s chances will improve, but he will need to have progressed from his prior runs to feature in this competitive event.
Currently, Royal Tyke is a $21 chance in the market.