Kia Ora Stud homebred Tropicus made a winning debut in the Catanach’s Jewellers Hcp (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday to ring up the ninth Australian winner for leading first-crop stallion Too Darn Hot (GB).
Ridden by Daniel Moor for Anthony and Sam Freedman, Tropicus launched down the centre of the track from midfield to defeat the honest topweight Stromberg (Strasbourg) by a half-length, with Just For Show (Showtime) a length back in third.
Sam Freedman expects Tropicus to scale the heights.
“The pleasing part was he spat the bridle out at the 500m then really picked up and chased the line,” Sam Freedman said.
“He has shown us he has way more off the bridle than on. It is often the reverse, where you have horses cruising and don’t find much.
“He was challenged at the top of the straight and had to dig into his reserves, but he was strong on the line.
“It’s not easy to win in town on debut. We are mindful that he is a horse going places with a bright future.
“We are thankful to Kia Ora for their support. Brett Cavanagh had him early as a yearling and gave him a good rap.
“The spring comes up early, so there is a chance we will put him out and aim for a Coolmore.”
Tropicus is the second winner from as many to race for the talented Exceed And Excel mare Extensible.
A multiple metropolitan winner and stakes-placed in the Group 3 Angst Stakes, Extensible is a sister to Listed Belle Of The Turf winner Cathay Lady and a half-sister to My Sugar, Group 3 placed in Hong Kong, and Dineeta, the dam of stakes-winner Cutadeel.
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