Tropicus too speedy in G1 Oakleigh Plate

Fifth G1 winner for Too Darn Hot as four-year-old dominates at Caulfield

Tropicus delivered another top-flight success for Too Darn Hot when capturing the G1 Oakleigh Plate over 1,100m at Caulfield on Saturday, 21 February.

Caught three-wide to the home turn, Tropicus surged to the lead at the 300m and quickly put the race beyond doubt, defeating Hedged by 1.25 lengths, with Gallant Son a further two lengths away in third. Under Craig Williams, he stopped the clock at a slick 1:02.18.

Bred by Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd, Mr D Kelly and Mrs J Kelly and raced by Kia Ora Stud, the four-year-old is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman. The Oakleigh Plate marked his first G1 victory and his third at Stakes level, taking his record to four wins and three placings from 12 starts.

Tropicus joins Fallen Angel, Broadsiding, Hotazhell and Tornado Alert as G1 winners for Too Darn Hot, who is now the sire of five individual G1 winners and 31 Stakes winners worldwide.

A Champion First and Second-Season Sire in Australia, Too Darn Hot was also the highest-earning First-Season Sire in history. He has now sired 258 winners of 484 races globally.