Adrian Bott feared the resuming Tropical Squall might have been vulnerable against race-fit horses in the Surround Stakes, but the filly’s class has been enough to get her through and top an outstanding afternoon for the stable.
After watching Golden Slipper fancy Storm Boy toy with his Skyline Stakes (1200m) rivals earlier on the program, Bott was pleasantly surprised to see Tropical Squall put the icing on the cake with her Group 1 win.
“She had come back so much bigger and stronger this preparation so I was confident that she would be in for a good preparation,” Bott said.
“Just the way the track was playing today, we lost a little bit of confidence against horses with race fitness, but it was fantastic to see so it is only up from here.
“I thought she might be vulnerable in the conditions and the 1400 metres first-up.”
Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, Tropical Squall who was $8.50 with betting apps led and dug deep when challenged late by Stefi Magnetica ($17), denying that filly by a short head with Tutta La Vita ($101) best of the rest, another 1-1/4 lengths away.
Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse will weigh up the best path through the autumn for the three-year-old but taking on the older mares in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) in two weeks is her likely next step.
“We will probably go through the Coolmore path and assess,” Bott said.
“She had to do that today to warrant going down the Coolmore path. The Vinery (Stud Stakes) is an option and she is nominated for the Doncaster (Mile).
“I think the 1400 metres is her sweet spot and I think stretching her out to an Oaks trip last campaign, we were a little bit rushed. I guess the benefit of the time in the paddock and allowing her to strengthen up has made the difference.”
Stefi Magnetica, who was beaten in benchmark grade three starts ago, ran the race of her life for second and jockey Tommy Berry said being beaten so narrowly was a bitter pill to swallow.
“Gutted to get beaten but she has come a long way in a short time,” Berry said.
“The winner was obviously a Group One winner and Gai and Adrian’s and was too strong for us on the day.”