Toropa climbs off canvas at Belmont

Promising debutante Toropa (Toronado) added her name to the growing list of spring hopefuls with a resolute victory at Belmont’s midweek meeting last Wednesday.

Toropa was bred at Amelia Park in Vasse and was first in line for TBWA Winner of the Week after climbing off the canvas in the Xmas In July Hcp (1000m).

Written Melody (Written By) made it interesting with a powerful finish 35 minutes later in the TABtouch Hcp (1000m).  She was bred just up the Bussell Hwy from Vasse at Tony Patrizi’s Misty Valley Thoroughbreds in Capel and will be winning better races next season.

So will Toropa although trainer Vern Brockman would not be drawn on any specific targets when quizzed by RWWA reporter Julio Santarelli.  “We will let the dust settle before making any decisions,” Brockman replied.  “But she may have one more start on a Saturday and then have a break.

“I would like her to be ready for the spring at Ascot.  That was very pleasing victory.  She’s all quality, well-bred, and everything about her is good.”

Toropa was bred by Peter Walsh, Brian Bradley and John Cipriani using Swettenham Stud’s successful shuttler Tornado (Ire) over Europa Point who had won at Moonee Valley and been Stakes-placed at Flemington.

Europa Point is perfect at stud with five to start for five winners and her latest foals are a War Chant (USA) yearling filly and Awesome Rock weanling colt.

Second-dam Gambei won a RL Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic and she is a half-sister to Special Harmony (G1 VRC Oaks), King Canute (G2 Perth Cup) and Redwoldt (G2 Karrakatta Plate).