Tropical Squall (+800) has led from barrier to winning post in the Group 1 Flight Stakes, giving jockey Adam Hyeronimus his second Group 1 victory and trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott their third Flight Stakes success as a training partnership.
After jumping the best of any runner in the race, the daughter of Prized Icon took up the lead without any challenge and was allowed to run the race at her own speed, while race favourite Tiz Invincible (+190) was made to travel three-wide without cover after crossing from her wide barrier.
When the field rounded the home turn, Hyeronimus still had a vice-like grip on the leader, but when he said go, she booted two lengths clear of Kimochi (+450).
Kimochi chased gamely over the final 300m and held down second place, while Tutta La Vita (+1000) and Mollynickers (+400) finished in fourth and fifth, respectively.
2023 Group 1 Flight Stakes Replay – Tropical Squall | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Adam Hyeronimus
After claiming their third win of the day at Randwick, Adrian Bott spoke on behalf of the Waterhouse & Bott stable post-race about the win.
“She’d been crying out for the mile, I was really confident coming here today if we could make it a nice test for them and try and draw a bit of the speed and brilliance out of those others, because we know she was prepped for this and ready,” Bott said.
“Those colours out bowling along out front and delighted for Adam (Hyeronimus).
“Very pleased on a lot of fronts.
“He’s obviously a great front-running rider. He’s been keen on this filly for a long time, he’s spoken so highly.
“He’s been spot on the money there and I’m delighted for him to get another big one.”
Adam Hyeronimus brought up his first Group 1 success since returning from a long injury layoff, and he spoke post-race.
“Everyone will get great satisfaction from it, it hasn’t been easy,” Hyeronimus said of his return to riding.
“I didn’t think I’d ever ride again to be honest; I had no intentions.
“It’s good to come back, I’d probably work with Gai and Adrian for the rest of my life to be honest.
“She’s a very classy filly and from the first time I sat on her she’s shown that and it’s good to see her do what she’s done today.
“Obviously I rode my first one for them (Group 1 winner – Shout The Bar) at the start of the pandemic, no one was there and celebrations were quite quiet but to ride another Group 1 winner for them is very special.”
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