That is the prediction of top rider Aiden De Campo, who is confident Magnificent Storm will win the $100,000 Catalano Truck Sales Navy Cup over 2130 meters at Gloucester Park on Friday evening, a week after finishing fourth behind Minstrel in the Stratton Cup last week.
Prepared by astute trainer Ray Williams, Magnificent Storm warmed up for the Pacing Cup in November 2023 by competing in the Stratton Cup and Navy Cup on the previous two Friday evenings.
He finished a head second behind Diego in the Stratton Cup before winning the Navy Cup by a margin from Alcopony, and a week later won the Pacing Cup, beating Jumpingjackmac and Minstrel.
“I think this is a good recipe for the horse,” said De Campo, who revealed Magnificent Storm had put in a big performance after last week’s Stratton Cup, setting a strong pace with quarters of the final mile in 29.4 sec, 29.1 sec, 27.5 sec. and 28.1 sec.
“Ray told me that Magnificent Storm had gained quite a lot of weight over the past week and that his heart rate was the highest he has ever recorded when he was healthy and well.
“He hasn’t run this fast on the 2536 meters for almost three years. But really hard running never hurts him. On his previous runs in this preparation, Magnificent Storm led and ran before sprinting home. Last week this was his hardest hit in a long time. And Ray says he is in top form and now he just needs that extra conditioning run.”
Magnificent Storm has sparkling gate speed and should charge straight ahead from barrier four on Friday evening.
One of his main rivals is likely to be Penny Black, who was last week at the most unlucky close-up seventh behind Minstrel when she was hopelessly blocked from a clear passage and went full-on running to the line. The Navy Cup winner is guaranteed a start in the Pacing Cup, but Penny Black’s form this season should ensure she gets a start whether she wins this week or not.
Penny Black, driven by Emily Suvaljko and head coach Michael Young, will start from the No. 2 barrier on the back line.
“This is not an ideal draw, especially with Magnificent Storm at number 4,” said Young. “We really want to get Penny Black into the Pacing Cup field, and I think what she’s done should get her a start. It wasn’t much fun last week to see her hopelessly blocked from making a run.”
Champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond have two of the biggest dreams for the Pacing Cup in Minstrel and Gee Heza Sport and they will be looking forward to a strong performance from Justcallmemiki, who will be piloted by Deni Roberts from barrier six in the Navy Cup on Friday evening.
“A draw in the front row suits Justcallmemiki, and from there he should be able to move forward,” said Roberts. “But it will be difficult to sit out of Magnificent Storm.”
Adding interest to the Navy Cup will be the first WA appearance for Nerano, who will make his first start since finishing 11th behind Don Hugo and Minstrel in the Interdominion Championship final at Menangle on December 14 last year after starting wide at barrier eight, racing wide early and suffering interference.
Two starts earlier he won a 1730m Inters heat at Bathurst, with a score of 1.51.4. He has raced 75 times for 21 wins, 18 placings and $349,072 in prize money.
Eight-year-old Nerano impressed when he won a 2150m nine-horse test at Byford last Saturday, with a score of 1.57.4 after final quarters of 29.5 seconds, 28.9 seconds and 29.1 seconds. and 29.4 sec. Starting from barrier three on the back line, he raced wide early and took the lead after 400 meters before, held hard by trainer Lindsay Harper, to win by seven lengths from This Time Jacko.
Trainer leader Gary Hall Jr is looking to improve on seven-year-old Better Eclipse, who has finished well in his first two WA outings.
“We had a few little issues with him after his last run (three Fridays ago when he finished 11th behind Mister Smartee),” Hall said. “He is doing well now and his work has been good, and he has a favorable draw.”
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Through Ken Casellas, for Gloucester Park
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