Kia Ora Stud is thrilled to celebrate a career-defining performance by homebred entire Tropicus, who reached new heights with his victory in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Already a winner on three occasions, including two Group 3 victories, Tropicus delivered on his promise at the elite level with a performance of authority and class. Carrying 58.5kg and partnered by Craig Williams, he travelled strongly throughout before accelerating clear in the final stages to secure a decisive win.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud and Don & Judy Kelly, Tropicus is raced in the stud's iconic blue silks and has secured his place at Kia Ora Stallions, where he will stand alongside Leading Second Season Sire Farnan, Captivant and Prague at the conclusion of his racing career
By Too Darn Hot, Tropicus is out of Extensible, a Group-performed mare also bred by Kia Ora Stud. Extensible has produced two winners from two runners and is by Exceed and Excel, another graduate of the farm.
“The Oakleigh Plate has long been recognised as a stallion-making race, with the likes of Fastnet Rock, Snitzel, Starspangledbanner and Russian Revolution all on the honour roll, so for Tropicus to add his name to that list is extremely significant,” said Kia Ora Stud's Bloodstock and Breeding Manager Shane Wright.
“What made his victory even more compelling was the authority of the performance. He carried 7kgs more than Snitzel and 6.5kgs more than Starspangledbanner when they won the race, yet still recorded the fastest winning time of any of those stallions on the Oakleigh Plate honour roll. He also ran faster than last year’s winner, Jimmysstar, despite conceding 4kgs. That speaks volumes about his natural speed and toughness.”
“He's shown ability from the very beginning, winning on debut as a two-year-old, before progressing to claim Group victories at three and four. He has also been remarkably consistent, regularly featuring in the placings in some of Australia’s most competitive sprint races, which is exactly what you want to see in a high-class stallion prospect,” Wright concluded.
Farnan’s remarkable start at stud continued at Rosehill on Saturday when Ninja delivered a commanding victory in the Group 2 ATC Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
Ninja has developed into one of the most progressive three-year-olds of the season and his Hobartville win further strengthens his sire’s position at the top of the Australian Second Season Sires Premiership.
From his first two crops, Farnan has sired 39 individual winners, including 27 this season alone, along with nine individual stakes horses and nearly $6 million in earnings. His ability to produce high-class performers from the outset underlines his emergence as one of the most influential young sires in the country.
Ninja's Hobartville victory followed an outstanding Queensland summer campaign, where the Michael Freedman-trained gelding signalled his elite potential during a three start preparation. He won the Group 3 Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate by nearly five lengths before a controversial second placing in the RL Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Jumping cleanly, Ninja took up a forward position for Tommy Berry and travelled comfortably throughout. After turning for home, he surged past Shangri La Boy and powered clear to win by a length and a half over Napoleonic, with Group 1 winners Autumn Boy and Attica finishing third and fourth
“Good to see him come back and do that. It was obviously his biggest test I think,” said trainer Michael Freedman.
“He does things pretty comfortably. He had two weeks off up there at Hinterland on the water walker after he ran in the Guineas. Came back here and gave him a trial last Thursday. He trialled really nicely. He's come a long way in the last four to six months.”
Ninja has now built an impressive record of four wins and three placings from seven starts with prizemoney exceeding $1 million. Freedman will assess how the gelding comes through the run before confirming plans for the Group 1 ATC Randwick Guineas over 1600 metres next month.
“We’ll see how he pulls up. Wouldn't bother me at all putting him out because he's an exciting horse for the future," he said
A $380,000 Magic Millions purchase from Segenhoe Stud for MyRacehorse Pty Ltd, Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi Pty Ltd and Belmont Bloodstock Agency, Ninja is out of Impulsive and was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, who retain a share in his ownership
