The Esperance Cup has been a target race for Citino, but Stormageddon’s graduation to the staying ranks has been a bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one for Grantham.
There’s been little let up for Stormageddon, who commenced his campaign in August, but his last start win over 2000m at Pinjarra showed why he’ll be a worthy Esperance Cup contender.
After a frustrating run of bad luck in his previous staying contests, Stormageddon ended his run of outs impressively when powering home under hands and heels riding from Clint Johnston-Porter to post his first success past 1400m.
Grantham said Stormageddon’s ascension to a middle-distance staying prospect is not something he considered or believed the four-year-old was capable of reaching at the beginning of his preparation.
“I thought he was going to be a 1100m to 1300m, 1400m squib, to be honest,” Grantham said on Tabradio.
“He used to pull in his races and did too many stupid things wrong and was doing them at home.
“I think just the more racing; he’s been in work for 286 days.
“He lives out in the paddock all day and then he comes in at night.
“He knows his routine; I don’t even put a head collar on him.
“When I open the gates, he walks himself in.
“Not a chance in the world I thought he was a stayer.
“He’s surprised me and is obviously in very good form:”
While Stormageddon was underlining his staying credentials at Pinjarra, Citino ran 10th behind.
The Demerit gelding has yet to hit the form he displayed last year, but Grantham thinks a change is coming in the 2025 Esperance Cup.
“I’ve planned this race for him for a long time,” Grantham said.
“He probably hasn’t put his best foot forward, but I changed a few little things at home with him.
“I’m trying to get him a bit sparkier and we’ll see how we go.”
Clint Johnston-Porter retains the ride on Stormageddon, but he’ll have to negotiate a wide draw. With the emergency he has gate 17.
His younger brother, Zephen Johnston-Porter leaves barrier one on Citino.
Grantham’s stable hit a purple patch last week with six winners, highlighted by Antique Miss taking out a Listed victory in the Detonator Stakes (1800m).
The Domesday mare, a dual stakes winner after capturing the Group 3 La Trice Classic (1800m) in January, will go around next in the Bunbury Cup (2000m).
On a sombre note, Granthan’s highly rated three-year-old gelding Olympic Park will be out of action for some time after suffering a pelvic injury when he resumed in last Saturday’s Challenge Stakes (1500m).
