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Local glamour pacer Magnificent Storm (American Ideal) is a commanding harness racing favourite for the inaugural $1 million Nullarbor after snaring a perfect alley.
The barrier draw was always going to reshape the Friday night’s feature at Gloucester Park, which had $4 equal favourites in Magnificent Storm and Spirit Of St Louis before the barriers were finalised.
Magnificent Storm was by far the biggest winner in gate two with most expecting him to work across Typhoon Banner and have enough speed to hold those on his outside to lead.
Managing owner Rob Tomlinson couldn’t hide his excitement after drawing the barrier himself.
“At last,” he boomed. “This horse has had the worst run of barriers you could ever imagine.
“We didn’t dare to even let ourselves dream our luck could change for the race that really matters …. but it did.
“This is huge. It’s much a relief as anything, especially for me being the one who drew the barrier.
“It’s everything we hoped for and we will go there guns blazing now.”
Add the draw to the overall bullishness of Tomlinson and trainer Ray Williams and it’s no wonder Magnificent Storm’s odds were slashed from $4 to $1.70 after the draw.
“He’s got the draw we wanted and he’s at the top of his game. He’s not just back to his best, but I don’t think we’ve ever had him this good,” Tomlinson said.
“I’m sure he’s got enough speed to hold those on his outside. No doubt there will be a lot of speed early as you’d expect in a $1 million race, but he’s up to that. He’s ready for it and he’s shown before he can handle it.
“People think he’s best as a sit-sprinter, but he’s a great leader, this horse, too. He just hasn’t had many chances to show it.
“Go back to when he won the James Brennan Memorial (November 11, last year). They burned a 65.8sec lead time, which is super quick. He copped that and ran away to beat them easily.
“He won’t know himself if he’s in front, on the marker pegs.”
In-form and speedy local Lavra Joe will push forward from gate three, as will stablemates Jumpingjackmac (five) and Diego (six).
The wildcard at the start could be NSW raider and dual Miracle Mile runner-up Spirit Of St Louis, who will start from second outside the front row (gate eight). He’s shown explosive gate speed at times, including to lead an Inter Dominion heat at Shepparton late last year.
“They’ll need to be quick, very, very quick to get across ‘Storm’,” Tomlinson said.
Betterzippit, trained by NSW giant-killer Jason Grimson, is $5 second favourite from Lavra Joe at $7.50.
Such was the importance of the draw, Spirit Of St Louis eased from $4 to $10 after drawing so wide.
NULLARBOR BARRIER DRAW: Front row: Typhoon Banner, Magnificent Storm, Lavra Joe, Betterzippit, Jumpingjackmac, Diego, Loyalist, Spirit Of St Louis, Mighty Ronaldo. Back row: Steel The Show.
