Oakleigh Plate victory makes Sam Freedman's 30th birthday special via Tropicus
Tropicus gave trainer Sam Freedman a memorable Group 1 present on his 30th birthday.
This four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding claimed his debut top-flight win by powering clear of competitors in the $750,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) held at Caulfield on Saturday.
Freedman and his father Anthony, co-trainers, had Tropicus as their secondary option behind $2.60 favourite Point Barrow, with the jumper at $7.50, and the success has the trainer excited about future prospects.
"He's a proper horse, he deserves that," Freedman said.
"As a three-year-old he raced against some of the best, Broadsiding and a few really proper colts.
"He's got better as an entire and is one of those horses that just trains on and on and on.
"We've seen him get better this prep and you wouldn't rule out him going to another level again."
With 58.5kg aboard, Tropicus triumphed carrying the heaviest load to win the Caulfield sprint feature since metrics in 1973, amid a weight-heavy field.
In second, 1-1/4 lengths away, came $20 topweight Hedged (59kg), as Jedibeel ($18, 58.5kg) took fourth, beaten a long-head by Gallant Son (52kg) in third at $8.50.
Craig Williams secured his maiden Oakleigh Plate success, adding to his day's tally with the Futurity Stakes aboard Pericles, and he thanked those who selected him.
"I got given a really good gift today," he said.
"They rang me up early and said, 'We think he's the right horse for the race', my manager agreed, so he gets credit for that.
"Even his jumpouts, that I haven't been a part of, but I've watched him, they've left the headgear off him and just saved it for the race day today."
Betting for the Newmarket Handicap has Tropicus at $11 behind stablemate Tentyris, but Freedman prefers the William Reid Stakes (1200m) back at Caulfield March 21.
Discover the latest online bookmakers offering odds on Oakleigh Plate contenders.
More Racing News
Blake Shinn's comeback continues with Flemington jump-outs appearance
Jockey Blake Shinn is set to reach a significant milestone in his recovery journey as he prepares to ride at the Flemington jump-outs on Friday.The Lindsay Park team, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, has booked Shinn to ride War Machine on Friday, and he also has four other...
Cold Brew defying his quirks to rack up wins
Trainer Will Freedman conceded that Cold Brew frequently errs during his races but manages to secure victories despite his tendencies."I don't know if the penny will ever drop with him, it certainly hasn't dropped yet,'' Freedman said. "But he obviously has good ability and he should be hard to beat...
Miraval Rose's early spring campaign begins at Caulfield
The Grahame Begg stable is set to commence an early spring campaign by utilising a late-season weight-for-age contest.Miraval Rose is scheduled to compete in the 1100-metre Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, marking her return to the track since her fourth-place finish in the Group 2...
Lockwood's filly Extreme Taste faces draw challenge
Trainer Barry Lockwood initially commented that there wasn't much to say about his filly Extreme Taste "because she hasn't won yet," but upon further discussion, he is considerably more positive about her chances of success at Ipswich on Wednesday.Extreme Taste, a maiden after three starts, is set to compete in...
Sir Les refining his racecraft under Carmody's guidance
Craig Carmody is diligently working with promising three-year-old Sir Les, aiming to harness the gelding's natural talent, a skill he witnessed with the horse's dam, Everage, who also achieved stakes success.Sir Les, by All Too Hard, displayed impressive form winning his first two outings before a narrow fifth-place finish in...
Tennessee Bound to bypass Caulfield for Sandown assignment
While Tennessee Bound would likely be a leading contender for favouritism in the Caulfield race she is entered for, trainer Ciaron Maher is intent on continuing his measured approach with the undefeated mare.Consequently, the four-year-old is expected to make her next start in Wednesday's 1200-metre Evergreen Turf Handicap at Sandown.The...
Bellatrix Star's comeback looms in the Sir John Monash Stakes
Mark Walker is proceeding with caution regarding the return of the classy mare Bellatrix Star, based on his experiences with her over the past two seasons.This Saturday, the mare is expected to make her reappearance in the $200,000 Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.The 1100-metre weight-for-age race will...
Hard Kick's preparation for major spring sprint begins
The traditional winter period typically isn't a springboard for success in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but the Lindsay Park training team is pinning its hopes on Hard Kick.The unexposed gelding is poised to commence a campaign that has its sights set on the lucrative $2 million Group 1 sprint for...
Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the...
Tim Clark sees great potential in By Choice's return
Despite Tulloch Lodge's usual high benchmarks, their two-year-old season has been somewhat subdued. Nevertheless, their primary stable jockey, Tim Clark, anticipates that the current crop of youngsters will more than make up for lost ground as they transition to three-year-old racing.Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have seen 14 juvenile winners...