Storm Boy super under J-Mac in Rosehill barrier trial

Storm Boy led throughout under a hold from McDonald and raced away from his rivals to win by more than six lengths.

Champion jockey James McDonald got his first opportunity to put juvenile sensation Storm Boy through his paces at the Rosehill barrier trials on Thursday – and now has an appreciation of what the fuss is all about.

Storm Boy led throughout under a hold from McDonald and raced away from his rivals to win by more than six lengths in 53.47s for his 900m heat in soft 5 conditions.

Coolmore Australia recently purchased a 70 per cent share in the unbeaten Storm Boy in a deal that potentially values the colt at $60 million.

"Storm Boy very impressive at the Rosehill trials."@GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott's Golden Slipper favourite, with @mcacajamez riding, easily wins his trial as expected on Thursday with the Skyline Stakes his next stop. Majorca Sunset ran second and Valabing third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/SIr16JNuA2

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 14, 2024

On Wednesday morning, it was announced that McDonald will replace Adam Hyeronimus as Storm Boy’s rider in the Rosehill trial and then when the colt has his final Golden Slipper lead-up in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes on March 9.

READ | Former commercial pilot lands $60 million Storm Boy deal

Storm Boy, unbeaten in three starts including his brilliant Magic Millions win last month, is the $3 favourite for the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 23.

But who will ride the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy in the Golden Slipper is still unclear.

Storm Boy acquired by Coolmore.

The Magic Millions winner and ruling Golden Slipper favourite has been bought by Coolmore, giving them the current 2 favs in the Slipper with Switzerland, and last year's winner Shinzo already in the serving barn.@CoolmoreAus@GaiWaterhouse1… pic.twitter.com/CKIP3opf6X

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) February 7, 2024

McDonald also rides another unbeaten Coolmore colt, the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in the Pierro Plate at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

It is understood if both Storm Boy and Switzerland line up in the Golden Slipper next month, English superstar Ryan Moore is expected to return to Sydney and Coolmore will have the final call on which jockey rides their colts.

READ | Scrap the plan to sell Rosehill racecourse: ‘Don’t kill history’

Moore answered an SOS from Coolmore last year and made the trek to Sydney to win the Golden Slipper on the Waller-trained Shinzo.

Meanwhile, McDonald also rode Godolphin’s Aft Cabin to an impressive win in the opening trial over 1030m.

1⃣ Aft Cabin
2⃣ Tropical Squall
3⃣ Libertad

A strong finish along the inside from the back sees classy @godolphin 4yo Aft Cabin pick up Group 1 winner Tropical Squall to win a Rosehill trial on Thursday. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/c3xvBAMlMC

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 14, 2024

The James Cummings-trained Aft Cabin settled off speed and stayed on the inside rail where he lengthened stride impressively in the sprint home to reel in leader Tropical Squall to win by a short head with Libertad two lengths away third.

McDonald never put Aft Cabin under any real pressure in the trial but the four-year-old’s acceleration late was encouraging.

Aft Cabin was one of Godolphin’s boom, emerging sprinters last season, winning the Arrowfield Stud Stakes, Guineas Prelude and Eskimo Prince Stakes but he hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in Think About It’s Stradbroke Handicap last June.

But Cummings has given Aft Cabin two trials in recent weeks and the four-year-old is ready to return to the races.

Talented mare Duais, trained by Edward Cummings, also caught the eye when closing strongly late in her 1030m heat, particularly through the line when unplaced Ausbred Flirt.

Concorde Stakes winner Remarque from the Team Hawkes stable and speedy colt Red Resistance, trained by Waterhouse and Bott, were both stylish trial winners.

Originally published as Storm Boy super under J-Mac in Rosehill barrier trial