Storm Boy dazzles at the trials
Rosehill hosted five juvenile trials yesterday, with the unbeaten Stormy Boy (Justify) proving easily the most impressive on the day, cruising to a six and a half length success in his 900-metre heat.
The son of Coolmore’s US Triple Crown-winning shuttler Justify (Scat Daddy), who is currently a $3 favourite for next month’s Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), made all under James McDonald, eventually pulling away to defeat Majorca Sunset (The Autumn Sun) by six and a quarter lengths, while Valabing (National Defense) a further two lengths back in third.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained, Storm Boy, who was recently acquired by Coolmore, will be next seen in the Skyline Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick on March 9, where McDonald will replace the colt’s last-start rider Adam Hyeronimus.
“James McDonald will ride him in the Skyline,” Bott told Sky Racing Radio. “In terms of the Slipper booking, nothing has been made there yet.
“Everyone has got a few options, but James will get a good feel for him this morning and then obviously in the Skyline Stakes, then everyone can get together again and make a few decisions off the back of that.”
Justify sired another trial winner at Rosehill yesterday, with Just Party improving on his previous runner-up effort to get off the mark under Tim Clark. Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, the colt easily brushed off long-time leader War Ribbon (Calyx) to score by two and a half lengths.
A $110,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Coolmore for his trainers, Just Party is a half-brother to Group 3-placed Petition (Foxwedge) with the pair both being out of the Group 1 winner The Party Stand (Thorn Park) and from the family of four-time Group 1 hero Callsign Mav (Atlante).
Chris Waller unearthed yet another smart prospect, as Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) colt Gatsby’s showed good improvement from his first trial to his second to score by a half-length in a 900-metre heat.
Coming home under a tight hold from Tommy Berry, the $220,000 Inglis Easter purchase, from Vinery Stud for Aramco Racing, defeated I Am Sez (I Am Invincible).
Gatsby’s is a brother to Group 2 winner Letzbeglam and to the stakes-placed Snazz ‘n’ Charm being out of the stateside import Miss Charming (Forestry), herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Tout Charmont (Slewvescent).
The other juvenile heat winners at Rosehill yesterday were the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Marais (Capitalist) and Godolphin colt Limahuli (Street Boss), who is trained by James Cummings.