Danny O’Brien is looking forward to seeing a couple of his handy three-year-olds compete against each other up the straight at Flemington.
Atlantis Tycoon and Stupendo shape up against each other in the Deane Lester GoFundMe (1100m), a benchmark 64 grade race, at Friday’s Rapid Racing meeting.
Atlantis Tycoon has raced only three times and the O’Brien stable thought enough of the gelding to consider him a spring hopeful last year.
A debut winner at Caulfield last May, Atlantis Tycoon was given one more start before a break, however after finishing fifth in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in August, Atlantis Tycoon was turned out for the remainder of the spring.
“He came back in good order in the spring but then he got a little virus after his first-up run and had to go out for a spell,” O’Brien said.
“He looks like he’s come back in good shape this time and it’s a good race for him to kick off in.”
Stupendo scored a debut win over Friday’s course and distance in December 2021 with O’Brien thinking enough of the gelding to send him north for the Magic Millions Carnival on the Gold Coast.
After finishing second over 1100m at his first attempt at the Gold Coast, Stupendo went on to finish ninth the following week in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic behind Coolangatta.
Stupendo returned as a three-year-old for two runs last spring, finishing in the second half of the field on both occasions, in stakes races, down the straight at Flemington.
O’Brien said no notice should be taken of the gelding’s return run at Geelong on January 4.
“We had to go back from a wide gate at Geelong and he just didn’t get into it,” O’Brien said.
“He won his first start up the straight and I think he’ll be much better suited this time.”
