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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus is under no illusions about the task facing Tropical Squall if she’s to fend off the Chris Waller army, and a quarter of a century of history, to win the season’s first Group 1 at Randwick on Saturday.

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The last four-year-old mare to win what’s now the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m), formerly the Warwick Stakes, was the champion Sunline back in 1999.

That said, Hyeronimus believes Tropical Squall’s credentials as a two-time Group 1 winner at three are worthy of respect as she takes on the likes of established mares Fangirl, Via Sistina and Zougotcha.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained mare, who now races in the Yulong colours, sits on the fourth line of betting at $8.50 with TAB behind the Waller trio.

Tropical Squall, who now races in the Yulong colours, won the Flight Stakes in the spring (as did Sunline) and Surround Stakes in the autumn leading all the way in both Group 1s.

“She was definitely an underrated three-year-old, she’s one of few fillies to win a Group 1 in both carnivals and that’s not really recognised,’’ Hyeronimus said.

“At the same time going into this first-up run being a little underrated is probably valid because it’s a strong race.

“These are very good horses that Chris trains but they’ve obviously got bigger targets in mind and may not be as wound up as my horse, that’s from the outside looking in. Whether that’s the case I don’t know.”

Hyeronimus has been rapt with Tropical Squall’s two barrier trial wins leading into the Winx Stakes and he feels she’s made the necessary development to step into open company.

She’s unbeaten first-up and he said what’s in the four-year-old’s favour is her racing style and he hopes to use that to his advantage.

“She’s very sharp out of the gates and 1400m is probably her ideal distance,’’ he said.

“She likes to go along at a nice gallop so I’m not concerned about the barrier. It gives me the opportunity to ride my own race and the biggest thing is to make sure she jumps properly.

“Her last trial was great, I was very happy with that. She’s a lot stronger, which is pleasing because she’ll need to be going up against these seasoned older horses.

“I feel like she’s strong enough and going well enough to handle herself well.”

The make up of the Group 3 $250,000 National Jockeys Trust Premier’s Cup (2000m) concerns Hyeronimus a little when it comes to Sir Lucan’s chances of toppling stablemate and hot favourite Eliyass.

While he said having his first run since winning the Winter Cup (2400m) in June over a middle distance is a good recipe he’d prefer a truly run race.

“It’s a good race for him, I like him running 2000m off a short let up. It’s his pet distance,’’ he said.

Tropical Squall wins a Rosehill trial on August 6

“It’s a small field and there looks a lack of speed at first glance.

“He’s a better horse ridden with cover and if we’re allowed that opportunity with a nice gallop in the race and get that cover we’ll be very competitive.”

Sir Lucan is a $51 chance in TAB’s pre-noms market on the Group 1 Metropolitan behind Eliyass who firmed to $6 on Friday.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting