Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Superstar Magnificent Storm is expected to make his final appearance as a six-year-old when he contests the Group 3 $50,000 Village Kid Sprint over 1730m next Friday night.
The champion pacer was not extended in scoring an effortless victory in the Pat Cranley Memorial over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“This was an ideal lead-up for the Village Kid Sprint,” said trainer Ray Williams after Dylan Egerton-Green had driven the New Zealand-bred gelding to victory. He was the $1.10 favourite from the outside barrier in the field of four, with Egerton-Green sending him to the front after 100m and then bowling along and beating Arma Einstein ($12) by three and a half lengths, rating 1.55.5.
After modest opening quarters of 31sec. and 29.7sec. Magnificent Storm sped over the final 400m sections in 28.6sec. and 26.7sec.
“He probably could have gone faster over the final quarter if he had another horse outside of him,” said Egerton-Green. “He does everything push button, and the plan was to win the start to put everything beyond doubt.”
Williams is delighted with the way Magnificent Storm is performing, saying: “He has improved and matured since his trip to Brisbane (when unplaced in three starts at Albion Park in July). After the Village Kid Sprint, he probably will have a break before being prepared for the Fremantle Cup and the Nullarbor slot race next year.”
Magnificent Storm, who was having his first run on Friday night for three weeks, has amassed $1,078,773 in prizemoney from 35 wins and nine placings from 57 starts.