Storm down but not out with tricky draw

Trainer Ray Williams maintains Magnificent Storm (American Ideal) is still a live hope in tomorrow night’s J.P. Stratton Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park, despite a tough harness racing barrier draw.

Magnificent Storm, who will start for the first time since his Queensland Constellations campaign in the $100,000 event, has drawn the outside barrier on the front line.

The gelding, to be driven tomorrow night by Aiden De Campo, looms as one of the key runners in both the J.P. Stratton Cup and WA Pacing Cup on November 10.

Williams said he had his star pacer primed for a strong showing tomorrow night.

“Obviously we haven’t had any luck with the barrier again,” Williams told The Trots WA.

“The horse is going really good though and he’s still a really good chance with luck.

“Dylan (Egerton-Green) tracked him for me at Pinjarra.

“Ryan (Warwick) drove a galloping pacemaker and they were both happy with the time they ran.”

Magnificent Storm was unplaced in the three starts in Queensland, where he competed against talented pacers like Swayzee and Leap To Fame.

Despite the winless campaign, Williams said he expected the trip to pay handsome dividends in the long run.

“Each race in Queensland there was a moment we thought he would be in the finish,” he said.

“He’s pulled up well and everybody has told me the experience would do him good.

“He’s looking better than he’s ever looked.”

Diego looks well placed to win his second straight J.P. Stratton Cup, having won the race in January, having drawn barrier one.

Maddison Brown, who teams up with Diego again tomorrow night, said she was confident she would be able to hold the lead, despite Steel The Show crossing him in a Free-For-All last month.

“I got it wrong a couple of starts ago,” Brown told TABradio.

“That was just a terrible night for me, so forget that race.

“I had no trouble holding up last time in the Stratton Cup, so hopefully we can repeat it and go back-to-back.”

Sydney visitor Loyalist, who is the lone runner from interstate, has drawn barrier two.

Diego is the $2.10 favourite with TABtouch, ahead of Steel The Show ($4.40), Magnificent Storm ($6.50) and Loyalist ($9).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim Walker for RWWA