Unbeaten mare Toropa has graduated to Saturday company following two midweek wins for trainer Vern Brockman and a syndicate managed by Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh.
The daughter of Toronado (Ire) went out an odds-on favourite in the Party At Ollie’s Hcp (1200m) and duly delivered with an on-pace victory over Galaxy Affair (Merchant Navy) and Canny Rock (Awesome Rock).
“Toropa (Photo / Western Racepix) is all class and I don’t know what the ceiling is from here,” Brockman said. “She will be running against better class horses from now on but what more can she do?
“I said she was a Christmas filly after she won first-up this time last year at Belmont but she went amiss with sore feet and a few other minor issues.
“I put her out to get over things and she’s come back as fast as ever.”
Brockman reckons Toropa reminds him of former top-class mare Junction Girl (Western Wind ) who was a Group 3 winner of the Hyperion Stakes (1400m), Prince of Wales Stakes (1200m) and A J Scahill Stakes (1200m) in the late 1970s.
“Junction Girl won ten straight and was a sweet mover,” Brockman told RWWA. “So is Toropa. They have similar abilities.”
Toropa is one of is one of five winners from five to race from Moonee Valley winner Europa Point (Rock Of Gibraltar). Her 3yo is an unraced War Chant (USA) filly named Europa Conflict with Adam Durrant and her most recent cover was to Spiritjim (Fr) last October.
Walsh retained a share after selling Toropa for $230,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions and she has already returned $105,610 including Westspeed bonuses of $33,000 in her first four starts. Her 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).
Amelia Park also reports its first foal of the season has arrived at Vasse. He’s a colt by Darley shuttler Blue Point (Ire) and is the first foal from Vadette De Star (Zoustar) who won on debut at Ascot in February 2021. Vadette De Star was a $130,000 buy for Amelia Park at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and her dam Whoever (Redoute’s Choice) was a Listed winner of the 2006 The Nivison (1200m) at Randwick for trainer Guy Walter.
