Coolmore Stud Stakes target for impressive Freedman debutant Tropicus

Co-trainer Sam Freedman says the son of Too Darn Hot could find himself in one of Australia’s top stallion-making races after his win at Caulfield.

Tropicus wins at Caulfield.

The Freedman stable could set the highest of bars in the spring for rising three-year-old Tropicus after the colt’s debut triumph at Caulfield.

Co-trainer Sam Freedman said the son of Too Darn Hot could find himself in one of Australia’s top stallion-making races after his narrow win in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1100m).

Freedman said the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day could be the target for Tropicus next season.

“It’s never easy to win in town on debut,” Freedman, who trains Tropicus in partnership with his father Anthony, said.

Too Darn Hot colt, Tropicus, savages the line for an impressive debut victory 😍 @FreedmanRacing@daniel_moorpic.twitter.com/JXICDBE931

— Racing.com (@Racing) May 11, 2024

“We’re mindful that he’s a colt going places and he has a very bright future.

“We’ve got to look after him and the spring comes up pretty quickly.

“I’d say there’d be a chance that we’d put him out and aim up at a Coolmore.”

Tropicus ($5) had to chase from before the home turn but kept finding under pressure in the last 200m to hold off the $9.50 chance Stormbourg.

Freedman said Tropicus’s ability to lift when pressured was one of the youngster’s best features and set him apart from most horses.

“I think the most pleasing part was that he really spat the bridle out at the 500(m) and really picked up to chase the line,” Freedman said.

Tropicus fought hard to win.

“One thing he’s shown us is he’s got way more off the bridle than he has on the bridle.

“Often it’s the reverse where you’ve got horses that cruise along but don’t find a lot.

“He was challenged there at the top of the straight and he had to dig into his reserves.

“He was very strong on the line.”

Tropicus gave jockey Daniel Moor a Melbourne win before he heads back to Singapore to start another stint on Monday.

Moor has ridden with great success in previous Singapore contracts and will take up a final deal to ride in the jurisdiction, which will cease racing in October.

Originally published as Coolmore Stud Stakes target for impressive Freedman debutant Tropicus