Magnificent Storm resumes and impresses with resounding win

Harness racing fans at Gloucester Park last night would have been wondering whether grand pacer Magnificent Storm (American Ideal) could return for another successful stint. And following his demolition of open class rivals in the Swan Draughts Free For All no one was left in any doubt that the nine year old is back seemingly better than ever.

Although a short priced favourite there was some concern that he might not show his trademark early speed to lead early especially when driver Emily Suvaljko on Beach Diamond indicated her desire to lead from barrier three.

And to the surprise of those on the track, Magnificent Storm didn’t display his customary dash and was eased back through the field by driver Aiden De Campo. But that tactic probably was key to him winning the race.

MAGNIFICENT STORM 31 JULY REPLAY

Both Bettor Eclipse and Beach Diamond set a furious pace early on with Beach Diamond holding the lead. Magnificent Storm only had a few behind him but as soon as the field had settled down, De Campo sent him around and by the time they were in the straight with a lap left to travel he was up outside the leader. There was no let up with the tempo being set by Beach Diamond as she ran 28.3 and 28.7 for the first two quarters.

But Magnificent Storm always seemed to be travelling well enough and when given his head by De Campo the brown gelding strode clear on straightening and he recorded a four metre win over Bettor Eclipse who chased home the winner after having the run of the race behind the leader with Franco Encore third.

In deciding to hold back at the start De Campo stated

Pre race I was launching him. Probably half through for the warm up, I kind of thought better of it and thought there might have been a little bit more speed on than what I first anticipated. And probably still made the wrong move probably peeling to the breeze when I did I anticipated the pace coming off a little bit less than what it did when I got around there the leader was pulling quite hard so had to work quite hard from the 1200 to the 1000 around that corner to get to the breeze. And lucky he’s a good enough horse you know to pull me out of the mess when I get in it.

He’s a funny horse he knows what it’s like first up and second up he’s just a different animal out there. He thinks it all a game comes out here he’s pricking his ears in the warm up and you know he just travels kind on the bit. And soon as he gets a couple of runs under his belt he must know you know you kind of set him for a couple of races he just gets sharper and sharper and starts to put his head on his chest and yeah he knows when game time is but yeah 1.52.8 first up we won’t take anything off him there.

Magnificent Storm has been one of State’s most consistent pacers in top graded company over the years and no doubt trainer Ray Williams will be eyeing up the big features later in the year including the Group 1 $450,000 West Australian Pacing Cup on 11 December, a race which Magnificent Storm won back in 2023.

He’s sure to meet his old adversary Minstrel as well as the younger pacers coming through and of course the barrier draws will be crucial but there’s still so much life in Magnificent Storm that he is sure to make his presence felt in whatever company he competes in.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink