Rising star Tropical Squall confirmed her status as one of the most promising fillies in Sydney when she scored a dominant all the way win in Saturday’s Gr1 Flight Stakes run over a mile at Randwick.
Sent to the front from the start by rider Adam Hyeronimus, Tropical Squall had a great kick in the straight and she was able to set up a winning break with about 300 metres to run.
An A$9 pop with bookmakers, Tropical Squall dashed clear of her rivals, headed by a determined Kimochi, but at the post there was still an almost length margin between the pair.
The win continued the great run of success for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Today’s win was the 11th Flight for Waterhouse and the third with co-trainer Bott.
“She’d been crying out for the mile,” a delighted Bott said. “I was really confident coming here today if we could make it a nice test for them and try and draw a bit of the speed and brilliance out of those others.”
“We know she was prepped for this and ready – just delighted that it’s come off.”
Tropical Squall was a A$16,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale buy for Gooree Park Stud from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds.
“Obviously the famous silks of Gooree,” Bott said. “Gai and Gooree have had so much success on this day over the years. Those colours out bowling along out front and delighted for Adam (Hyeronimus). Very pleased on a lot of fronts.”
Bott gained great satisfaction with Adam Hyeronimus riding the winner – his second Group One, but his first after a long stint on the sidelines following betting charges.
“He’s obviously a great front-running rider,” Bott said. “He’s been keen on this filly for a long time, he’s spoken so highly.”
“He’s had plenty of good opportunities all the way through and he said there’s a lot of things he would give up to stick with the filly. He’s been spot on the money there and I’m delighted for him to get another big one.”
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The victory was a sweet one for Hyeronimus who had ridden Tropical Squall twice for a win and last start third in the Tea Rose Stakes.
“I didn’t think I’d ever ride again to be honest, I had no intentions,” the comeback rider said. “It’s good to come back, I’d probably work with Gai and Adrian for the rest of my life to be honest.”
“It was a natural progression to come back and work for them. I’ve spent a bit more time with the horses hands on and it’s given me a bit of a spark.”
Tropical Squall is a filly that has always been in high regard by her rider.
“She’s a very classy filly and from the first time I sat on her she’s shown that and it’s good to see her do what she’s done today.”
“We were very confident a long way out during her preparation and it’s pleasing to come and deliver.”
“Obviously I rode my first one for them (Group One win with Shout The Bar) at the start of the pandemic. No one was there and celebrations were quite quiet but to ride another Group One winner for them is very special.”
Tropical Squall was bred by Kooringal Stud, the home of her sire Prized Icon – the Champagne Stakes winning two-year-old and Victoria Derby winning three-year-old.
She is from 1200 metre winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Squalls – a daughter of Blue Storm and half sister to Steflara (grandam of Flit).
- Winner: Tropical Squall
- Breeding: Prized Icon-Squalls (Fusaichi Pegasus)
- Breeder: Kooringal Stud
- Race: ATC Flight Stakes G1 (1600m)
- Sold for: A$16,000
- Sale: 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale
- Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds (As Agent)
- Buyer: Gooree Park Stud
- Earnings: A$538,550
- Owners: Gooree Stud (Mgr: EM Cojuangco & Mrs J Tioseco)
- Trainer(s): Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Randwick)
