Top filly revives fond memories for Vern Brockman

Octogenarian trainer, Vern Brockman says emerging three-year-old Toropa is trending in the right direction and will progress to Saturday grade after keeping her unbeaten record intact at Belmont on Wednesday.

The excitement continues to grow for Toropa, a $230,000 Perth Magic Millions purchase, who met the expectations of punters again when she made it three wins from as many starts in the McMahon Handicap (1200m).

Despite coming back from a virus, a month between runs, carrying 60kg and ploughing through heavy ground, punters had no concerns with daughter of Toronado starting a short-priced $1.65 favourite.

Jockey Brad Parnham gave Toropa a perfect run, he settled her fifth before the daughter of Toronado exploded down the middle of the track to bolt in and record an easy 1 ¾ length win over Jaz Session.

Brockman, twice the winner of the Railway Stakes and Perth’s leading trainer in 1980, is a big admirer of Toropa and says after three excellent mid-week wins, the next step is to go to Saturday company.

“She’s all class and from here on end we’ll be looking at a Saturday,” Brockman said.

“I don’t know what the ceiling is, but the art of racing is to have a first-class horse in a second-class race and then you keep winning.

“Now we’ll be running against better class horses, but what more can she do.”

Toropa’s progress has ignited fond memories for Brockman.

“It reminds me of a horse we had called Junction Girl,” Brockman said.

“It won ten straight and they have similar abilities.

“She won a Bunbury Stakes, and we took her to Adelaide and ran second in the Goodwood Handicap.

“She was a sweet mover, the same as this filly (Toropa).”

Toropa gave the in-form Parnham the second leg of a treble. He booted home Natural Gem and lifted No Brainer across the line after he was headed.

Parnham is two from two on Toropa after Joseph Azzopardi rode her to victory when she made her debut at Belmont a year ago.

Brockman said Parnham is cementing a good relationship with Toropa.

“He knows how to ride this horse,” Brockman said.

“He’s in great form, Brad and he likes her a lot.”