Magnificent Storm became the second pacer in the 60-year history of the Navy Cup to win the prestigious event three times when he outclassed his rivals in the $100,000 race at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and hopefully it will prove the panacea for his trainer Ray Williams, who was too ill to watch him cruise to victory.
Williams brought Magnificent Storm to the course but was taken back home in Mt Helena by his wife Dot before the Cup, suffering from a severe attack of influenza.
Magnificent Storm, the $1.10 favourite and driven by Aiden De Campo, was simply too brilliant for the opposition and showed that he will prove very hard to beat in the $450,00 WA Pacing Cup next Friday night.
The only other pacer to have won the Navy Cup three times is Chicago Bull, who was successful in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Lavra Joe ($23) led for the first 200m before De Campo sent Magnificent Storm to the front after a swift lead time of 36.4sec. The opening quarter of the final mile was covered in a fast 28.2sec. before Magnificent Storm relaxed in the next 400m in 30.6sec. and then sprinted over the final quarters in 28.1sec. and 27.1sec. to win by 19 metres from dead-heaters
Hillview Bondi ($71) and Little Darling ($61).
Magnificent Storm rated 1.53.6 over the 2130m and took his record to 70 starts for 42 wins, 13 placings and $1,266,687.
“All roads lead to next week,” said a jubilant De Campo. “He is a super horse and will improve on tonight’s effort. Last week when he led and finished fourth behind Minstrel in the Stratton Cup he needed the run. He hadn’t had that hard 2536m run for a long time.
“Tonight, he felt better in the warm-up and was sharp and on the job. There are probably three main chances in the Pacing Cup (Magnificent Storm, Minstrel and Mister Smarted) and Tuesday’s barrier draw will be very important.”
Little Darling ran a splendid pacing Cup trial for trainer Cameron Ross and driver Jocelyn Young. She began from the outside of the back line and raced in sixth position, one-out and two-back, before finishing with a powerful burst.
Lavra Joe, who enjoyed a perfect trail behind the frontrunning Magnificent Storm, finished a well beaten fourth and dislodged his driver Maddison Brown just past the winning post after locking sulky wheels with Better Eclipse. Brown landed on her back before quickly regaining her feet. She was passed fit to driver Arma Believer and Dawson later in the program.
