Boom colt Storm Boy makes resounding statement with dominant first-up win in San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill

Storm Boy changed the opinion of his detractors with a spectacular return in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill.

Storm Boy and Adam Hyeronimus score a commanding victory in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

From over-hyped colt to the most exciting talent in Australian racing in less than 63 seconds.

This was the time it took Storm Boy to scorch around the Rosehill 1100m course and change the opinions of his detractors with his runaway win in the Group 3 $250,000 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) on Saturday.

Storm Boy made a resounding statement to lead throughout in his three-year-old comeback race much to the relief of Coolmore Stud supremo and part-owner, Tom Magnier, and trainer Adrian Bott.

In the build-up to Storm Boy’s three-year-old comeback in the San Domenico, Magnier and Bott admitted to feeling the pressure.

Storm Boy had been the most talked about two-year-old in many seasons before his halo slipped when his unbeaten streak ended with successive losses in the Golden Slipper and ATC Sires last autumn.

Magnier had heard and read all the negative talk about Storm Boy going into the San Domenico and was starting to doubt himself on race-eve.

“I was nervous before the race so it was so exciting to see Storm Boy do that knowing there is so much improvement to come,” Magnier said.

“The plan with Storm Boy today was to do a City Of Troy and get out in front and make all.

“Storm Boy is by Justify, as is City Of Troy, and the Justifys just love to run. They are so strong.

“Its full credit to Gai (Waterhouse, co-trainer) and Adrian, and Adam (Hyeronimus) gave him a great ride, he followed instructions perfectly.

“It just worked out brilliantly and he really is the horse that we thought he would be!”

Bott conceded his immediate reaction to Storm Boy’s comeback win was “relief and satisfaction”.

“There wasn’t pressure to be winning today, obviously it’s important for him because he is a high-profile colt, but it’s more satisfying to see him come back,” Bott said.

“I think that has taken a few question marks away from him. We asked so much of him last campaign, in the Magic Millions, things didn’t quite go his way in the Golden Slipper, maybe we asked one too many runs of him going into the Sires’.

“So, we were just trying to prove that point, that he’s as good a colt as he is. So, it is satisfying to see him make the statement on his own accord.”

HE'S BACK! ⛈️

The boom two-year-old of last season runs his rivals into the ground under Adam 'Hippo' Hyeronimus, beating stablemate Mayfair to give @GaiWaterhouse1 and Adrian Bott the feature quinella. pic.twitter.com/OYhn5aEP2L

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 31, 2024

Storm Boy, backed into $2.35 equal favouritism, set a strong tempo throughout and even though jockey Adam Hyeronimus dropped his whip at the top of the straight he raced away to win by three lengths from stablemate Mayfair ($6.50) with Tropicus ($17) running on late for third, a long neck away.

Gatsby’s, winner of The Rosebud earlier in the month and the $2.35 equal favourite, seemed to have every chance but was under pressure from the turn and ran only fourth.

“He jumped and put himself in a really good spot, travelled well but just failed to let go on that fast ground,” said James McDonald, rider of Gatsby’s.

But all honours were with Storm Boy with the colt beginning fairly before showing sufficient speed to hold the inside rail to take the frontrunning position.

“I thought he jumped relatively well at 1100m and I didn’t have to be probably as aggressive as I thought I was going to have to be,” Hyeronimus said.

“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. I was very pleased to be able come here and have him do the talking.”

Bott said Storm Boy will go to the Group 2 $300,000 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 14 before the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) at the same track two weeks later.

“The Golden Rose has always been, first and foremost, that important target for him,” Bott said.

"In the back of our mind we've always thought a Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate type of program for him."

The world is at Storm Boy's feet this spring 🔥@GaiWaterhouse1 | @CoolmoreAuspic.twitter.com/0A3xyWKT7Q

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 31, 2024

“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.

“It’s amazing to be able to talk about a horse that has got the potential to do that. He really could go either way and be very effective as well.”

Bott said Storm Boy’s spring campaign will be determined after the Golden Rose.

“Everything is on the table, no decision has been made. We’re heading towards the Golden Rose, that’s his immediate target,” he said.

“We’d love to get that Group 1 for him because he’s a Group 1 colt and if we can tick that box that gives us all the options.”

Bott added Storm Boy, winner of five of his seven starts, is a prodigious talent with a rare ability to sustain his speed and get his chasing rivals off the bit.

“I’m glad he’s been able to come back and race in that manner and showcase his talents and natural speed,” he said.

“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.”

When informed of Bott’s comments about that Storm Boy’s spring campaign was still not finalised, Magnier was also open-minded.

“We will see how he pulls up and then talk to everyone tomorrow,” he said.

“The plan is to get him to the Golden Rose, nothing is locked in beyond the Golden Rose.”

Originally published as Boom colt Storm Boy makes resounding statement with dominant first-up win in San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill