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Southport Tycoon triumphs in epic Howden Australian Guineas

2 March 2024 Written by VRC

A crowd of over 9,000 gathered at Flemington today to watch Southport Tycoon take home the honours in a thrilling edition of the $1 million Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas.

The Ciaron Maher trained Southport Tycoon outclassed a tough field, rising above Veight and Riff Rocket on week two of the Flemington Racing Spectacular.

It provided Ciaron Maher with his third winner of the day after Estriella took home the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) and Another Wil made it three-in-a-row in the Good Friday Appeal Plate (1600m).

Atishu will have the opportunity to line up in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield on Saturday 16 March after winning the $300,000 Group 2 TAB Blamey Stakes (1600m) while Bold Bastille returned to winning ways in the Listed Furphy Trophy (1000m).

One of the faces of this year’s Good Friday Appeal, ten-year-old Emily, who is living with a rare type of brain tumour called a ganglioglioma and is likely to have this tumour for the rest of her life was on-course with her family to enjoy the fun activities in the Flemington Fareground.

More than $10,000 was raised for the Good Friday Appeal today, with further opportunities to contribute on Super Saturday and TAB Australian Cup Day. All money raised will go towards helping kids like Emily who have received life-saving care from The Royal Children’s Hospital. Floral arrangements from the race day were also donated to BlueCross Aged Care facilities.

The Flemington Fareground, free for all attendees, continued to be a fan favourite for eventgoers of all ages to enjoy. The resort-style activation based in the leafy elms area at the west-end of the racecourse included carnival-themed rides, a specially designed roller rink by Rolla Bae, face painting, pony rides, lawn games and live music.

VRC Chief Executive Steve Rosich said racegoers enjoyed a spectacular day of racing and entertainment.

“The VRC is delighted that over 9,000 people were trackside at Flemington to experience an exhilarating day of racing on Howden Australian Guineas Day,” Mr Rosich said.

“There was plenty of excitement leading into the Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas and the feature race did not disappoint with a thrilling finish for racing fans to enjoy. Off the track proved to be just as exciting with plenty of free family-friendly entertainment and activations throughout the day.

“We look forward to two more exciting Group 1 race days in March as part of the Flemington Racing Spectacular with Super Saturday on March 9 and TAB Australian Cup Day on March 30.”

The 2024 Flemington Racing Spectacular continues next weekend with Super Saturday, featuring the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, on Saturday 9 March and concludes with TAB Australian Cup Day on Saturday 30 March.