The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy ($2.30) has returned with a bang to claim the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, making every post winner under Adam Hyeronimus.
The son of Justify was a shade disappointing at the end of his two-year-old campaign, going down a short-priced favourite in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m).
The now-three-year-old appears to be back at his brilliant best, and although the jury was out after two even barrier trial victories heading into Saturday, there’s no doubt the $20 million Coolmore purchase is back on track.
He pinged the lids from the inside draw (1) and never looked in much danger despite the equal favourite Gatsby’s ($2.30) sliding across into the one-one under James McDonald.
Storm Boy was able to produce sustained speed from the outset, with his rivals spotting the leader an unassailable head start, with only Mayfair ($7.00) and Tropicus ($17.00) making any inroads in the final furlong.
Conditions have favoured on-speed runners throughout the afternoon; however, it was clear to see the class rise to the top in the 2024 San Domenico, with Storm Boy cruising to a comfortable 2.9-length win.
2024 Group 3 San Domenico Stakes Replay – Storm Boy
Co-trainer Adrian Bott was on course representing the stable post-race and suggested there’s still plenty options for Storm Boy in the spring but confirmed the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) would be the next target.
“There is so much talent there,” said Bott.
“I’m glad he’s been able to come back and race in that manner and showcase his talents and natural speed that’s he’s got today.
“There is further improvement. I’ve always thought he’s going to be better getting over further, but to do that today showing that sustained speed, he was able to run them into the ground and that’s the quality colt that he is.
“In the back of our minds, we’ve always thought a Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate type of program for him. That’s what we thought going into the campaign.
“But the brilliance he has shown today, whether he could be an Everest horse dropping back off a Golden Rose.
“Everything is on the table, no decision has been made. We’re heading towards the Golden Rose, that’s his immediate target.”
Adam Hyeronimus was delighted with the performance and credited the stable for the conditions of the horse, suggesting he knew his fate heading to the stalls.
“We know what he can do,” said Hyeronimus.
“I was very pleased to be able come here and have him do the talking.
“That is very much the role of the stable. They are colts, but you would think they were a four-year-old gelding. I knew my fate when I cantered off into the gates and we went around lovely and relaxed, in a good rhythm. I knew we were on.
“I thought he jumped relatively well at 1100m. I didn’t have to be probably as aggressive as I thought I was going to have to be. I knew once I did find the front he’d drop the bit. He only needed a breather for 100m given the sectionals I know he can run are pretty devastating.
“Once I got that 200m rest and I kicked him up at the top of the straight he just grew again and off he went.”
Storm Boy is now an equal favourite and marked a $4.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28.
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