Storm Boy justifies Magic Millions Classic hype

Image: Darren Winningham

Unbeaten colt Storm Boy provides Waterhouse with a fifth Magic Millions

Gai Waterhouse added another Magic Millions 2YO Classic to her glittering resume when Storm Boy justified short-priced favouritism to make a one-act affair of the $3 million event on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The son of Justify made it three dominant wins from as many starts when he outclassed his rivals in the 1200-metre event.

It was the first win in the race for Waterhouse’s training partner Adrian Bott, but fifth for the Hall of Fame legend who has previously won with Assertive Lad (2000m), Excellerator (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Driefontein (2012).

Bott was thrilled to see the colt turn in his best performance yet in his toughest test to date.

“It was an impressive performance once again,” Bott said.

“He’s gone from strength to strength and he really put it all together today.”

A $460,000 purchase at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Storm Boy became the second most expensive yearling to win the race behind $600,000 buy Exhilarates when he crushed his rivals by 2-1/2 lengths.

After jumping in the middle of the pack, the $2.50 favourite mustered quickly and sat three-wide for around 300m before jockey Adem Hyeroimus took up the spot outside longshot leader Mishani Aloha.

Storm Boy took over shortly after straightening and powered away to score from betting sites $4.40 second elect Highness with Spywire ($8.50) a further 2-1/4 lengths back third.

“It was a terrible start and I was three wide, but the way they’ve made the track now, I wasn’t too bothered because I was going to end up outside the leader so I had to take my time and get him into a rhythm and ride my own horse,” Hyeronimus said.

“The leader dropped off very quickly, which wasn’t ideal, but he was a lot more switched on today.”

Storm Boy cleared out at the head of Golden Slipper betting after the win and Bott said all energies would now be geared towards seeing him emulate Dance Hero and complete the double with the trip to Queensland a key part of the preparation for that event.

“When we get back home to Sydney, we’ve got a big autumn campaign ahead – we’ve got a Golden Slipper first and foremost,” he said.

“When they come back from Queensland they seem to be that much more mature and professional in everything they do.”

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