Tropicus shows a touch of class with his debut win at Caulfield
The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable are likely to send debut winner Tropicus to the paddock before turning their attention to a potential Group 1 campaign in the spring.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in November is the potential long-term aim for Tropicus after his victory in the Catanach’s Jeweller Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.
Ridden by Daniel Moor, Tropicus ($5) responded well under riding to claim victory by a half-length from Stormbourg ($9.50) with Just For Show ($9.50) a length away third.
With the Queensland Winter Carnival getting into full swing, Sam Freedman said he would discuss options for the two-year-old with his father, but suggested the son of Too Darn Hot was likely to head out for a break.
“We’ve got to look after him and the spring comes up quickly,” Freedman said.
“So, there’s a good chance that we will put him out and aim up at something like the Coolmore.
“It’s never easy to win in town on debut and we’re mindful that he’s a colt going places and is going to have a very bright future.
“We’re thankful to Kia Ora Stud for their support.”
Freedman said Tropicus had started out with Brett Cavanough as a yearling and remembers a phone conversation telling him the colt had ability.
He said Tropicus had showed promise in his early jump-outs but went shin-sore which in turn delayed his racetrack debut.
Freedman said the most pleasing aspect of Saturday’s win was when the colt was placed under pressure and responded.
“I think the most pleasing part was he spat the bridle out at the 500 (metres) and really picked up and chased the line,” Freedman said.
“What he had shown us was way more off the bridle than what he has got on the bridle, and often that is in the reverse when you see horses cruise along and don’t find a lot.
“He was challenged at the top of the straight and really had to dig into his reserves and was very strong on the line.
“I think 1200 metres will suit him better and a bit of time as well.”
More Racing News
Dan Morton keeps faith with 2024 Railway Stakes mare
Trainer Dan Morton has shrugged aside Super Smink’s horror barrier draw and still thinks she can win the Group 1 Swan Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday. A layer of complexity was added to Super Smink’s Railway Stakes bid after she was handed barrier 18, but Dan Morton is keeping the...
Timing right for Port Lockroy in G1 Railway Stakes bid
He’s one of five interstate raiders and the outsider of the quintet, but co-trainer, Rob Archibald believes there is a sense of timing about Port Lockroy in Saturday’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. Rob Archibald, who shares training duties with Annabel Neasham, says Port Lockroy put himself into Railway Stakes...
Royal task for Gilded Water at local debut
A benchmark race on The Gong undercard will add some Royal flavour to the stand-alone Kembla Grange meeting when a horse owned by His Majesty King Charles III makes his local debut. Four-year-old Gilded Water has been sent to Australia to continue his racing career, having started just four times in the...
Jason Collett hoping to find Express lane in The Gong
Jason Collett is resigned to the fact that he will be more reliant on luck than good management as he tries to coax another win out of Territory Express in the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange. The Provincial-Midway Championships Final victor in the autumn, Territory Express has a get-back racing pattern...
Improving trio to fly flag for Godolphin at Kembla Grange
Godolphin doesn’t have a representative in The Gong, but James Cummings is content to rely on a trio of up-and-coming sprinters to carry the stable’s hopes at the stand-alone Kembla Grange meeting. Fleetwood will headline the leading yard’s squad when he resumes in the Group 3 The Warra (1000m), while Pisanello and Restonica contest benchmark...
Mark Walker aims for ‘new’ hometown Cranbourne Cup
Trainer Mark Walker has a good record when in form New Zealand gallopers land in Australia. Walker’s latest ‘import’ is It’s A Wild Night who will have his first Australian outing in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) on Saturday. It’s A Wild Night arrived at Walker’s Cranbourne base just over a week ago...
Trainer Gavin Bedggood chasing Fortune in The Meteorite
Gavin Bedggood hopes the decision to take Oscar’s Fortune to Cranbourne for a midweek gallop will pay off handsomely on Saturday. Oscar’s Fortune runs in the $1 million The Meteorite (1200m), a new ‘slot race’ that Southside Racing, a merged entity of the Cranbourne and Pakenham Clubs, runs for the first time. The former...
Railway Stakes 2024 timing perfect for Baker’s Bel
In-form mare Belclare will need to overcome a wide alley to land her first Australian Group One win in the Railway Stakes at Ascot, and connections believe Nash Rawiller is the perfect man for the job. A two-time victor at the highest level in New Zealand, Belclare joined the Sydney stable of Bjorn...
John Stewart eyes Melbourne with 2024 Japan Cup fancy
Goliath faces one of the toughest tasks in racing this weekend, beating the Japanese at home in their biggest race, but John Stewart is already planning his next moves with his star recruit and Australia is on the itinerary. The ambitious American has quickly become a powerful investor in Australian racing and...
Hedged poised to give The Warra rivals a trim-up
The Magic Millions carnival is the campaign focal point for promising sprinter Hedged, but trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are hoping he can knock off a feature race along the way. The gelding will resume in the Group 3 The Warra (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday, his first start...
