Super talented Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy was sent out favourite for the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday and proved a class above his rivals when powering to a dominant two and a half length win over quality colts Highness (Snitzel) and Spywire (Trapeze Artist).
With impressive wins at Rosehill and Eagle Farm in the Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained colt only had to hold his form to win, but he did better than that, soaring to new heights for Adam Hyeronimus to clock 1:08:00 seconds which better the time run by King of Sparta win the Magic Millions Sprint earlier in the day.
It was the first win in this race for Waterhouse and Bott as a partnership, although she has won it four times previously with Assertive Lad, Excellerator, Dance Hero and Drieffontein and interestingly all four of those horses went on to win Group I races.
"It was amazing, totally dominant," an ecstatic Waterhouse said.
"He basically toyed with them today, he is really really impressive. He is big, look how big he is, it's amazing.
"He annihilated them, it was just so dominant, it means a lot to me."
Co-trainer Adrian Bott is already looking ahead to the autumn for this very special colt, who has improved and matured with every start.
“It was an impressive performance once again,” Bott said.
"He's gone from strength to strength and he really put it all together today.
"First run, 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 planed with a Golden Slipper first and foremost."
A $460,000 Magic Millions purchase for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Coolmore draft as agent for Morning Rise Stud, Storm Boy runs for a big ownership group headed by Cummingham Thoroughbreds and with three wins from three starts has already banked $2million in prizemoney.
Bred by Rob and Barb McClure of Morning Rise Stud and Coolmore partners, he was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the first foal from Pelican, a metro juvenile winner by champion sire Fastnet Rock from NZ Horse of the Year and seven time Group I winner Seachange.
Coolmore as agent for Morning Rise sold the second foal from Pelican, a colt by Pierro at Magic Millions this week and he will also be trained by Gai and Adrian after they purchased him for $375,000.
Pelican has foaled again this spring producing a filly by St Mark’s Basilica (FR) and is now back in foal to Justify.
A look through Breednet’s family search feature reveals four yearlings from the Seachange family for upcoming sales, click to see them.
The Justify x Fastnet Rock nick is looming as one of serious potential with 12 winners from 14 runners, so 85.7% winner to runner and four stakes-winners – Storm Boy, Learning to Fly, Star of Justice, Just Steel - at 28.5% SW to runner.
Justify posted sensational results at Magic Millions this week with all seven of his Book 1 yearlings selling at an average $500,714 with his top seller the colt from Invincible Star that made $1.3million. He was also bred by Coolmore in partnership with Morning Rise and purchased by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds.
