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Storm notches 11th win in a row

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Ernie ManningThe West Australian
Aldo Cortopassi drives Magnificent Storm to victory in the 4YO Championship at Gloucester Park tonight.
Camera IconAldo Cortopassi drives Magnificent Storm to victory in the 4YO Championship at Gloucester Park tonight. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Boom pacer Magnificent Storm notched his 11th straight win and landed the first leg of a rich treble by winning the $50,000 4YO Championship (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight.

The Ray Williams-trained gelding, driven by Aldo Cortopassi and starting a $1.70 favourite, rated 1:54.9 when fighting on to beat runner-up Power And Grace ($77.40) by almost 3m.

Al Guerrero ($25.50) finished a close third after setting the pace while WA Derby winner Patronus Star was pulled up when he had a sulky tyre punctured in the early stages.

Williams, 75, said Magnificent Storm would tackle the $125,000 4YO Classic (2130m) on January 29 and next month’s $200,000 Golden Nugget (2536m).

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“He’s by far the best pacer I’ve prepared in 54 years of training,” Williams said. “Magnificent Storm is better than good horses such as Pacific Warrior and To Fast To Serious who I’ve trained in recent seasons.”

Williams revealed there had been a scare in the 24 hours leading up to the 4YO Championship.

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“A stablemate was unwell last night,” Williams said. “I feared a virus had hit our stable.

“It was a sleepless night and this morning I felt 85 instead of 75.

“We thought Magnificent Storm would need to undergo a veterinary examination.

“Then it was found the other horse had asthma and Magnificent Storm was in perfect health.

“The championship was Magnificent Storm’s first race for three weeks and there was a lot of merit in his win. He’s pulled up well.”

Cortopassi settled Magnificent Storm back in the field before going forward to face the breeze from the 1600m.

Connections of Magnificent Storm join reinsman Aldo Cortopassi in celebrating winning the $50,000 4YO Championship (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight.
Camera IconConnections of Magnificent Storm join reinsman Aldo Cortopassi in celebrating winning the $50,000 4YO Championship (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Meanwhile, trainer Gary Hall said a Melbourne start was still a possibility for his star Chicago Bull after he scored a brave win in the $25,000 Joe and Margaret Petricevich Memorial Pace (2130m). It was his first start for six weeks and he raced outside leader Talktomeurmattjesty.

Chicago Bull is entered in the $500,000 Hunter Cup at Melton February 6. However, Hall conceded a Victorian trip would depend on COVID developments.

The gelding, a $1.20 favourite and driven by Hall’s reinsman son Gary Jr last night, rated 1:53.9 when scraping home by a half-neck.

Our Jimmy Johnstone ($29.40) ran a fast-finishing second and Im Full Of Excuses ($10.40) was third after challenging Chicago Bull at the home turn.

Hall said last week that Chicago Bull appeared an unlikely Hunter Cup starter, but the trainer was buoyed by tonight’s victory.

“After that win, I’d still like to take him to Melbourne, but all depends on COVID,” Hall said. “He was underdone tonight and can improve a lot.”

The Stephen Reed-trained Bletchley Park was a late Petricevich Memorial scratching after leg soreness flared.

“It looks only a minor problem, but we decided to take no risks,” owner Albert Walmsley said.

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