Magnificent Storm Shows His Class Again
The Dot Williams Free-For-All Pace at Gloucester Park last Friday evening proved a showcase for the magnificence of five-year-old star Magnificent Storm.
Drawing the extreme outside was always going to be a massive challenge given the favourite Jumpingjackmac was on the pole and from the powerful Gary Hall stable who had four runners in the event.
Driven cooly by the unflappable reinsman Aldo Cortopassi, Magnificent Storm tramped three wide early until he was able to slot into the one out line before peeling out three wide again in the back straight with over a lap and a half to go. He moved up stylishly around the turn and was parked outside the leader Jumpingjackmac going into the straight at the bell.
Gary Hall Jnr put the pressure on from the time Cortopassi eyeballed him at the post and had Jumpinjackmac stretching down the back straight and into the home turn.
He had no answer to the extreme talent of Magnificent Storm who showed tenacity to win by 1.7 meters posting a mile rate of 1:56:2.
The win was celebrated with obvious elation by his owners and master trainer Ray Williams with wife Dot on the lawn, a mixture of relief and admiration for the brave display their gelding had just exhibited.
There’s no doubting Magnificent Storm has earnt the mantle of best pacer currently in work in Western Australia, having now clocked up 26 wins from 33 starts and earnings just shy of half a million dollars.
He was bred by Todd MacFarlane in New Zealand and was imported to Australia after one unplaced run at Alexandra Park three years ago. By Woodlands Sud stalwart sire American Ideal he is out of Our Splendour who is by world champion sire Bettor’s Delight.
Now a 24-year-old Bettor’s Delight’s talent has not diminished with age as he holds champions sire status in America, Australia and New Zealand simultaneously and his record as a broodmare sire is also heading into legendary territory.
American Ideal’s progeny have earnt over $166 million worldwide and he is currently serving at the Northern Rivers Stallion Veterinary Clinic in Kyabram, Victoria for a fee of $12,100 which includes GST and the HRA tax.
Magnificent Storm’s dam Our Splendour raced in New Zealand and earnt $128,000. She has also produced 11-time winner Stamford, a year younger full brother to Magnificent Storm and is also a member of the Ray Williams team.
Our Spendour hails from the family that has produced multiple millionaire pacers Christen Me and Dream About Me, Have Faith In Me and Adore Me.
Seven generations ago Magnificent Storm’s family had its origins in Western Australia when in the ownership of Dr Ed Dewar. His seventh dam is Gold Heritage who produced Remit, dam of Whitby Heritage and Whitby Timer and grand dam of top performers Whitby Miss Penny and Ace Of Whitby.
Magnificent Storm’s trainer and owner partnership include BOTRA members Lee Bunny, Damien Keating, Dot and Ray Williams. A tilt at the Interdominion series is on the cards where he should relish the big open 1000 metre track at Melton