Godolphin’s Magic Hurricane has announced himself as another of the stable’s strong chances for the $700,000 Metropolitan with a win in the Listed Premiers Cup.
Magic Hurricane ($3.60) had the better of a tight duel in the straight to win by a short head from the favourite Silverball ($3.20), with Kapour ($5.50) three lengths away in third.
Following his 1800m win at Rosehill on Saturday, Magic Hurricane shortened from $11 to $8 for the Group One Metropolitan to share favouritism with stablemate Hartnell.
Godolphin horses Hauraki and Havana Cooler are on the next line of betting at $11.
Trainer John O’Shea said Magic Hurricane was likely to have his next start in the Group Two Hill Stakes at Randwick.
“I think he’s got a nice future ahead of him when he gets to weight-for-age and 2000 metres,” O’Shea said.
“He’s going to be a lovely horse with a beautiful turn of foot.”
Sam Clipperton gave the former English galloper a brilliant ride, sitting fifth in the run before peeling him out to chase down Silverball in the straight.
“Silverball sprinted very hard so it’s a great effort by my horse to actually get past him,” Clipperton said.
“What I liked was his last 50 metres. He actually surged again and won well.
“What’s nice about this horse is that he’s a stayer, but he’s got that turn of foot that not many stayers do.
“He’ll win more races doing that.”
Silverball’s trainer Chris Waller said giving up a 4kg weight advantage to Magic Hurricane had been costly while Kapour’s trainer Ciaron Maher was happy with the import’s third.
“It’s the best he’s ever run under 2000 metres,” Maher said.
“I’ll take him home to Melbourne and then we will decide where to go next.
“He can run down there or come back here. He travels really well.”
