Amelia Park graduate Toropa employed front-running tactics for only the second time in a 16-start career on Saturday and it paid off with a perfectly-rated victory in the LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) at Ascot.

Toropa (5m Toronado – Europa Point by Rock Of Gibraltar) sold for $230,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale and the Jungle Dawn prizemoney increased her overall earnings to $354,000.  Her residual value also rocketed with the addition of a Listed win to a pedigree already overflowing with black-type.

“There was no speed on paper so Brad (Parnham) took the initiative and gave her a dig from the bad barrier to cross the field,” trainer S.J. Miller said.  “She has an electrifying kick but hasn’t had much luck lately so it’s good to see her rebound.”

Miller will resist stepping Toropa up in distance for the LR Starstruck Classic (1600m) on December 13.  Instead, she will be freshened to drop back in trip for the LR Summer Scorcher (1000m) on New Year’s Day.

“She got too far out of her ground last time in the Jungle Mist but bounced out today and was always travelling like a winner,” Parnham reported.  “She controlled the race in front and held them pretty well to get there.”

Toropa was bred by the successful triumvirate of Brian Bradley, John Cipriani and Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh and they kept a share in the filly with a syndicate that includes Yarradale Stud owner Lyn Sayers, Dave Harris, Bill Willcox, Jeff Mouritz, Mark Wilson and David Ryan.

She is one of five winners from Europa Point including three-quarter sister Reveille (High Chaparral) who foaled Buckets Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) to Listed victories in last year’s Northam Cup and Melvista Stakes.

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).