O'BRIEN NOT SURPRISED BY TYCOON

Atlantis Tycoon's debut victory may have come as a surprise to punters, but not to his trainer Danny O'Brien.

The son of Written Tycoon was sent off as a $26 chance and quickened strongly under Damien Thornton's riding to prevail in the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1200m) for two-year olds.

"He's won nearly every trial he's been in but sometimes the market just bemuses you," O'Brien said.

"Obviously, he was a first starter and there was never going to be intent once we drew wide, we told Damien to go back and give him a good experience, he travelled well throughout the race and let down really well."

Atlantis Tycoon failed to meet his reserve at last year's Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, but his first-up success over 1200m bodes well for his prospects.

"We think he definitely gets to a mile, which is why we didn't want to burn him in the front half of the race today," O'Brien said.

"To win at his first start on a Saturday in town, we're expecting him to go to a good level."

Thornton agreed with O'Brien's sentiments that the best is still to come for the gelding.

"He's a nice horse, he's always trialled really well but in his trackwork he's a bit lethargic," Thornton said.

"He's always promised but it's nice to see him do it on race day. He's a big boy and he's going to get better when he's older."

Sydney visitor Shalailed finished second, while Atlantic Ocean came third.

McKeon, who was named after Olympic champion swimmer Emma McKeon and fancied in the betting at $5, was slow to leave the gates, knuckled shortly afterwards and finished a long last.

By Edward Sadler for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos