Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
Glamour pacer Magnificent Storm enhanced his glowing reputation with a commanding victory in the $50,000 Mount Eden Sprint at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he recorded the equal second fastest time in the 67-year history of this prestigious Group 2 feature event which was originally known as the State Sprint Championship.
Magnificent Storm, the $1.60 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, was not fully extended in setting the pace and winning by more than a length from Gambit when he rated 1.53.2 over the 1730m. The only faster time was the scorching 1.51.6 set by superstar Chicago Bull when he stormed home to snatch a last-stride head victory over Soho Tribeca in October 2017.
Chicago Bull also rated 1.53.2 when he led and won the 2020 Mount Eden Sprint, beating Shockwave by two lengths.
Veteran Mt Helena trainer Ray Williams was delighted with Magnificent Storm’s win when the New Zealand-bred five-year-old, skilfully handled by Aldo Cortopassi, defied strong early challenges for the lead from Jumpingjackmac and Lavra Joe.
Lavra Joe, the second fancy at $4.80, was the smartest into stride from barrier four but he was unable to cross to the front and then had to work in the breeze for the rest of the race, in which the final 400m sections were covered in 28.1sec. and 27.3sec. Lavra Joe fought on solidly to finish third, with Gambit, who trailed Magnificent Storm throughout, finishing on to be second, with his stablemate Jumpingjackmac ($11) in fourth place.
Williams, whose son Grant trained and drove Keyonymous when the seven-year-old gelding won the 2001 Mount Eden Sprint, produced Magnificent Storm in superb condition for his first-up assignment after an eleven-week absence. The exciting American Ideal gelding now has amassed $474,242 from 24 wins and four placings from 32 starts.
Magnificent Storm has been entered for the Interdominion Championship series in Victoria in November and December, but a decision has yet to be made regarding his racing program.
“He will keep going around,” said Williams. “We’ll see how he pulls up. He works easier here (in races) than he does at home, so if he pulls up good, he will go around next week.
“There is nothing set in concrete for him. We will leave it up to the horse. We don’t actually need to go there (to Victoria). But if he puts his hand up, we will go to Melbourne if the horse tells me to go. Tonight, was a step in the right direction.
“Maybe this could be my last chance (to have a runner at the Inters). It’s in the balance. I’ve never been a hundred per cent about going. There are good races here, the Fremantle Cup and the WA Pacing Cup. They’re more important to me than the Inters.”