| Gai Waterhouse’s almost-unmatched ability to consistently produce elite two-year-olds was again on show at the Gold Coast on Saturday when the Hall of Fame trainer and Adrian Bott won the $3 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) with undefeated colt Storm Boy. |
| It was a fifth win in the coveted race for Waterhouse and a first for training partner Bott, with a colt that was purchased for $460,000 out of the Coolmore Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The son of Justify was a dominant winner of his first two starts, including the Group 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) last month, and his performance to win on Saturday was arguably even more impressive. After a sluggish start from the barriers, jockey Adam Hyeronimus allowed Storm Boy to improve around the field and he eventually settled outside the leader Mishani Aloha. That horse was under pressure before the field straightened and Storm Boy hit the front, while other key fancies Highness and Arabian Summer also began to chase. But Storm Boy maintained a strong gallop to the line and landed the $1.7 million first prize by almost three lengths over Highness, with Spywire a further two lengths away in third. Bott praised the colt’s maturity and said he will now be aimed at the Group One Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in Sydney. “It was an impressive performance once again,” Bott said. “He’s gone from strength to strength and he really put it all together today. “He was a little bit above himself in Brisbane but today he paraded beautifully, he showed a great attitude, was strong late and able to put them away. “He looks a three-year-old already and I think a few people were checking his brands when he rolled in today, he’s that much of a mature horse. “I think that’s the upside with him – he’s the real deal at two but it’s scary to think if he can continue to improve into that three-year-old profile, he’s going to be a top class prospect for us. “We’ve got a big autumn campaign planes with a Golden Slipper first and foremost.” Hyeronimus, who returned to the saddle in 2023 after a lengthy break from the sport, said it was the biggest moment of his riding career and thanked the stable for their loyalty in sticking with him for the $3 million race. “The horse is loaded with ability,” Hyeronimus said. “Gai and Adrian have taken their normal procedures they have to get these colts to where they need to be. “I’m very happy to win a Magic Millions for Gai and Adrian – I think it’s probably the biggest ride and biggest win of my career, being on an unbeaten colt in such a prestigious race. “He’s just got such a beautiful attitude and that’s what takes the two-year-olds in our stable, especially the colts, to another level. “Although he jumped better today, he’s not very quick in that first 100m and I was three wide but with the way they’ve made the track now, I wasn’t too bothered because I was always going to end up outside the leader. “I just needed to take my time, get him into a rhythm and ride my own horse.” The Chris Munce-trained Poster Girl finished sixth and, as well as $30,000 in prizemoney, collected a $325,000 bonus for connections as part of the Magic Millions Racing Women’s initiative, which provides $500,000 and $250,000 in exclusive bonuses for horses owned by women in both the 2YO Classic and the 3YO Guineas respectively. Waterhouse first won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2000 with Assertive Lad and followed with Excellerator in 2002, Dance Hero in 2004 and Driefontein in 2012. The stable was more active than any other at this week’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale with more than 35 purchases, including Storm Boy’s half-brother by Pierro that was bought for $375,000 in conjunction with Kestrel Thoroughbreds. |
