Storm brewing as colt sets out to justify Coolmore’s $22.5 million gamble

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy enters his three-year-old season as the best-known colt of his generation, but not the best performed. From being sold in a pub to becoming a $22.5 million colt when Coolmore bought him after his Magic Millions win, the story has had many peaks off the track, but Bott knows he needs a pinnacle on the track to be fulfilled.

Storm Boy still carries expectations as he starts his spring in the San Domenico Stakes on Saturday. Credit: Getty “There is always pressure with a horse like him,” Bott said. “He has a first group 1 target of the Golden Rose, and we think he will rise to that level.



“We still see him leading our three-year-old team this spring with a lot more to come, but he is chasing that group 1 victory.” After that Magic Millions win, Storm Boy was a somewhat luckless third in the Golden Slipper and had excuses when fourth in the Sires Produce Stakes – form that would usually bring an air of heading into spring. But as Storm Boy resumes in Saturday’s group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill, there are more questions about whether he can get the success to match his price tag and obvious potential.

“He’s using this race as a starting point, and we go into the race with the expectation of improvement,” Bott said. “He has to give all his rivals weight under the conditions of the race from his win in the Skyline Stakes, so a win would be a promising start but not unexpected in our eyes.” Storm Boy will not have the burden of favouritism for the first time in his six-race career.

Bookmakers have him at $2.40 compared to Rosebud winner Gatsby’s, which is the $2.10 top pick.

Gatsby’s trainer Chris Waller made it clear he would be interested to see how his colt matches up against Storm Boy. “Storm Boy’s the benchmark. We’ll see how close [Gatsby’s] gets to him, or if he can’t beat him,” Waller said.

“Gatsby’s exceeded our expectations first up, but this is another test for him. “We think he is a sprinter and this will tell us where he is going for the rest of the spring.” Gatsby’s has won a decision over Storm Boy before they meet at Rosehill: top jockey James McDonald has opted to ride the Waller sprinter over Storm Boy, which he rode in the Sires.

McDonald’s decision means Adam Hyeronimus, who is unbeaten on Storm Boy including the Magic Millions, is back in the hot seat. “Adam knows Storm Boy very well and James had to make decisions early on about the three-year-olds,” Bott said. “We have a lot of confidence in Adam.

“Adam was very happy with the trial the other day, and Storm Boy is still going in the right direction. He is always going to have a lot of interest around him, and hopefully more after the weekend.” Sports news, results, and expert commentary.

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