Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have high hopes for Prized Icon filly Tropical Squall, who carried the famed Gooree Stud colours to an impressive first up win at Randwick on Wednesday against older mares.
A winner on debut at Canterbury back in June, Tropical Squall was spelled immediately after with spring goals in mind and has returned in fine fettle.
She was perfectly rated in front by Rachel King and sped clear to win the 1400m Benchmark 72 event by more than two lengths.
Rachel King was full of praise for Tropical Squall labelling her ‘the ultimate professional’.
Tropical Squall is now two for two and Group I races such as the ATC Flight Stakes and VRC Oaks are on the radar.
“She is a nice progressive type and it’s great for Gooree, who’ve been fantastic supporters,” said Adrian Bott.
“Off her debut win as a two year-old we put her away with the idea of trying to get her out to an Oaks trip as we certainly think she’ll stay given her breeding, so it’s a good sign she’s showing the speed that she is.
“There are a lot of options ahead of her and plenty more upside. When she gets back to her age group and out in trip I think she will be very well placed.”
Tropical Squall was a bargain $16,000 purchase for Gooree Stud from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft at the 2021 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Bred by Kooringal Stud, Tropical Squall is the fifth winner from seven to race for the winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Squalls. A half-sister to Group III AJC Breeders Classic winner Steflara out of Group III winner Blue Storm, Squalls died in 2021 and Tropical Squall is her final foal.
Gooree Stud bred and raced Tropical Squall’s sire Prized Icon, a top class son of More Than Ready (USA) that won both the Group I VRC Derby and AJC Champagne Stakes. He now stands at Kooringal Stud for a fee of $8,800.
