Toropa isn’t the only two-time TBWA Winner of the Week but she’s definitely the only one to double up in just two starts. She was profiled after a debut win at Belmont on July 5 last year when trainer Vern Brockman declared she was a definite prospect for the 2023 summer carnival.
Toropa beat subsequent LR Raconteur Stakes winner Brave Spirit that day but didn’t reappear until last Wednesday in the WA Spirit Of Racing Awards Hcp (1000m). She was well-placed first-up before a ground-saving manoeuvre enabled her to reel in the leaders and win running away from Magic Belle (Patronize).
“I said she was a Christmas filly last year but she went amiss with sore feet and a few other minor issues,” Brockman recalled. “I put her out to get over things and she’s come back with her fastest work ever this week. She can improve and 1200m won’t be a problem if she keeps finishing like that.”
Brad Parnham was aboard for the first time and he ‘nudged’ Native Flower (Gingerbread Man) wide on the corner to save valuable time getting balanced in the straight. “She travelled well and didn’t put a foot wrong,” he said. “She put them away and then ran right through the line.”
Toropa is a daughter of Toronado (Ire) and the Swettenham Stud sire is best known in the west through G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) winner Amelia’s Jewel. Her Moonee Valley-winning dam Europa Point has foaled five winners from five to race. Her 2yo is an unraced War Chant (USA) filly named Europa Conflict and her most recent cover was to Spiritjim (Fr) last October.
Second-dam Gambei (Dehere) won the 2001 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic and is a half-sister to Special Harmony (G1 VRC Oaks), King Canute (G2 Perth Cup) and Redwoldt (G2 Karrakatta Plate).
Toronado (High Chaparral) sired his 38th individual black-type winner worldwide when Come Right Back scored a longshot victory in the LR South West Cup (2200m) at Bunbury on Sunday. A winner of over $570,000 for owner-breeder Andy Phelan, he’s the final foal from Sense Of Purpose (Tiger Hill). The mare’s younger half-brother Chester Road (Tiger Hill) won the LR WA Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) in Phelan’s colours at Ascot in 2012.
