Storm Boy retains favouritism after Magic Millions Classic draw

By Glenn Davis

Unbeaten Sydney colt Storm Boy has retained his place as favourite for the Magic Millions Classic despite drawing awkwardly for the $3 million feature at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Storm Boy drew barrier 10 but remains a $2.40 favourite ahead of fellow Sydneysider Spywire, who is a $5.50 chance after also drawing awkwardly in gate 12.

Storm Boy’s co-trainer Adrian Bott is bidding for a maiden Magic Millions Classic while his training partner Gai Waterhouse has won the Magic Millions Classic four times, more than any other trainer in the race’s 37-year history.

More than 42 millimetres of rain has fallen since the Gold Coast meeting last Saturday and rain is forecast for the remainder of the week.

Bott has been a training partner for Australia’s first lady, Waterhouse, for several years but is yet to win the 1200 metre feature with her.

Waterhouse was training in her own right when she claimed the Magic Millions Classic with Assertive Lad (2000), Excellerator (2001), Dance Hero (2004) and Driefontein in 2012.

Bott is hoping history can be repeated as Excellerator also drew barrier 10 in his famous Magic Millions Classic victory.

Since joining forces with Waterhouse, Bott’s best effort in the Magic Millions Classic was last year when Platinum Jubilee and Summer Loving finished second and third respectively behind the Tony Gollan-trained Skirt The law.

Storm Boy was in his stable resting last Saturday when rivals Spywire and Arabian Summer (who drew barrier nine) were impressive Gold Coast winners of the Gold Nugget and Gold Pearl.

Bott was impressed with both winners but says he wouldn’t swap Storm Boy for any other runner in the Magic Millions Classic.

“Storm Boy has done well since the Bruce McLachlan and I wouldn’t swap him for any other runner,” Bott said.

“He had a good test in the Bruce McLachlan and he’s come through the race very well.

“We’re happy with the way he’s going and he’s been working well since.

"It seems a fair enough draw and it could have been a lot worse." 

In the $3 million Magic Millions Guineas, the Chris Waller-trained Chrysaor is now a $5 favourite after drawing barrier eight with Queenslander Cifrado (barrier seven) and the John O’Shea-trained Sydney Bowler (barrier 17) sharing the second line of betting at $5.50.