Hyperion Stakes quinella by Blackfriars

Black Tycoon led home a Group 3 quinella for champion sire Blackfriars in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday.

The Justin Warwick trained gelding sprinted down the centre of the course to defeat last-start G3 Belmont Stakes winner Kerrific by a short neck.  The first two home ensured the Scenic Lodge stallion collected the bulk of the $126,000 allocated in prizemoney.

Black Tycoon (7g Blackfriars – Dame Fontaine by Last Tycoon) is a late bloomer.  Since joining Warwick’s south-west stables in January, he had won four races at Ascot and the Geraldton Cup before the Group 3 breakthrough at Belmont.

The $150,000 Kalgoorlie Cup in September is the obvious target for Black Tycoon, however, Warwick has bigger plans for the gelding.  “The owners come from the Goldfields but I think the horse is a bit better than that,” he explained.  “He’s a natural runner and can really click when asked.”

Warwick ran second with Blackfriars mare Rosie Rocket in last year’s Hyperion Stakes.  “Black Tycoon is three lengths better than her.  I always believed he could win at weight-for-age.”

Black Tycoon is the final foal of Ascot winner Dame Fontaine who was put down in November 2009.  Her half-sisters produced G1 T J Smith Classic winner Juanmo (Flying Spur) and the dam of this year’s Perth Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winner Express Service (Danehill Express).

Scenic Lodge stallion Blackfriars has now sired his 23 stakes winners among 50 black-type performers.  He will stand for a $20,000 (plus gst) service fee this year.

– Karl Patterson