Tropicus Levels Up in Oakleigh Plate

Tropicus (AUS) became the fifth elite winner worldwide for his sensational sire Too Darn Hot (GB) and made a case for his own career at stud Feb. 21 with a powerful first-up victory in the 1,100-meter (about 5 1/2-furlong) Oakleigh Plate (G1) at Caulfield Racecourse. Ridden for the first time by Craig Williams, and providing the veteran jockey's first win in the race, Kia Ora Stud's 4-year-old homebred began well from gate 9 of 13 and found a smooth running line, three wide with cover. Carrying half a kilogram under top weight under the handicap conditions at 58.5 kilograms (approx. 129 pounds), Tropicus cruised up to the leaders before the home turn before being forced into a battle with Gallant Son (AUS) to his inside for the first half of the straight. Once that was won, however, he kicked well clear inside the 200 meters to put the race to bed. Tropicus had 1 1/4 lengths to spare on the line from highweight Hedged (AUS), with Gallant Son holding onto third and favorite Point Barrow (AUS) running fifth. It was Tropicus's fourth win—all at Caulfield—in 12 starts, and pushed his earnings into seven figures. Co-trainer Sam Freedman said now that Tropicus had broken through at the top tier, he could be set to ascend to another level and prove himself the latest star son of Darley's in-demand shuttler Too Darn Hot. Kia Ora may also be licking their lips over the prospect of standing Tropicus, now he has a group 1 to his name to confirm the high rating his trainers have always had of the stallion. "He's a proper horse, he deserves that," Freedman, celebrating his 30th birthday, said of the win. "As a 3-year-old he raced against some of the best, Broadsiding and a few really proper colts. He's got better as an entire and he's one of those horses that just trains on and on and on. "We've seen him get better this prep. You wouldn't rule out him going to another level again." PERICLES BREAKS THROUGH IN FUTURITY STAKES Godolphin's Andy Makiv said a gut feeling to send Pericles (AUS) to Bjorn Baker was vindicated after the gelding finally broke through for a maiden group 1 win in the 1,400-meter (about 7-furlong) Futurity Stakes (G1) at Caulfield. The son of Street Boss will likely meet fellow Godolphin representative Tom Kitten (AUS), now prepared by Sam and Anthony Freedman, in the All-Star Mile (G1) at Flemington March 7. "I had a feeling he'd suit Bjorn. I just loved what Bjorn had done with that Vancouver horse (Overpass) he's got and traveled around," Makiv said. Makiv admitted Pericles had been frustrating at the elite level, with four seconds and two thirds prior to his breakthrough. "He's been a fabulous horse. He's a homebred off Northwood Park in Seymour by our fantastic stallion Street Boss, so for him to achieve group 1 glory is wonderful for so many people. He's earned near on AU$7 million in prize money." The race also produced a masterclass from Williams, who claimed his third straight Futurity and sixth overall—just two shy of the legendary Roy Higgins' record of eight.