Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Octogenarian trainer Ray Williams was overjoyed at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he continued a family tradition by winning the $300,000 Retravision Fremantle Cup with outstanding pacer Magnificent Storm.
Williams is not positive but is pretty much convinced that the R. J. L. Williams, who prepared Monty Blue for his victory in the 1935 Fremantle Cup, is his late grandfather.
And since then, the 1965 Cup was won by Ell Boom, trained and driven by Fred Doy, whose daughter Dot is the wife of Ray Williams; and the 2007 Cup winner Shardons Aflyin was trained by Williams’ son Grant.
My initials are R. J. L. (Raymond John Leslie) and I’m sure that the trainer of Monty Blue was my late grandfather,” said Ray Williams. “And now I can’t believe I’ve got a horse like Magnificent Storm at my age (80).”
Nine-year-old Magnificent Storm has now been sent for a well-deserved spell, and Dot and Ray Williams are looking forward to a two-week relaxing holiday in Bali with one of Magnificent Storm’s part-owners Peter Morris and his partner Donna.
Magnificent Storm, the $1.90 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, enjoyed an ideal run in front, with a slow lead time and moderate opening quarters of the final mile in 31sec. and 29.5sec. before giving the opposition very little chance by sprinting over the final 400m sections in 27.9sec. and 26.7sec.
“Those final sections are unbelievable; and it’s pretty hard to catch a horse who is running those times,” said Williams.
Mighty Ronaldo ($16) raced wide in the early stages before getting to the breeze, a position he relinquished after 450m to Nullarbor slot race winner Max Delight ($12), who raced in the breeze until Ubetcha Tigerpie ($31) assumed the position 700m after the start.
Golden Lode, who shared $8 second favouritism with Triedtotellya, after stablemate Minstrel was scratched on the morning of the race, suffering from a hoof abscess, trailed Magnificent Storm throughout and battled on manfully on the inside to finish second, with Max Delight a head away in third place.
The winner rated 1.58.8 over the 2936m journey and took his record to 78 starts for 48 wins, 15 placings and $1,802,287.
“You are always on the cautious side leading into a big race,” said Magnificent Storm’s driver Aiden De Campo. “I thought that there was going to be a few horses making moves early and wanting to get forward.
“But when he got the first lap as comfortable as he did, and was travelling as strong as he was, he felt the winner a long way out. It’s credit to Ray and Robbie (managing owner Rob Tomlinson) and everyone who has looked after the horse.
“It hasn’t been easy with him over the years when he missed a few of these (major) races and has gone sore. So, it’s good to get one on board. He has been a brilliant horse who has taken the owners on a ride, and they are all excited.”
De Campo has formed a wonderful association with Magnificent Storm, having driven him 32 times for 21 wins, four seconds, two thirds and five unplaced efforts.