A decision to send talented Sebring gelding Superstorm from WA for a spring preparation with Danny O’Brien produced the desired result for his owners Bob and Sandra Peters when the five year-old took out the Group I VRC Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Group I placed four times previously and sixth in last year’s $7.5million Golden Eagle, Superstorm has been racing in great heart this spring finishing top four in every run for his new trainer before today.
Under a brilliant ride from Damien Oliver, Superstorm got his nose in front on the line to win in a thrilling finish by a short half head over last week’s $2million the Invitation winner Icebath with Doncaster Handicap winner Cascadian another short half head away in third place.
O'Brien said Superstorm was a class horse and his record reflects that with four wins and seven placings from 18 starts and prizemoney of $2.9million.
"He won the Feehan, was placed in the Underwood and the Toorak so it's great to knock off a big one with him," O'Brien said.
"Having one of Bob Peters' horses, it is great to get the result.
"Bob tossed up about running him in the Cox Plate, but he really was keen to see him at Flemington in a really high-pressure mile which is probably the best set up for him."
Superstorm is a full brother to stakes-winner Mikimoto and a half-brother to Group III winners Cosmic Storm and stakes-winner Royal Command being from terrific producer Stormy Nova, a Group III winning daughter of Metal Storm (Fr).
Stormy Nova was on-sold at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale for $45,000 and has a yearling colt by Sessions and was covered by him again last year.
Superstorm is the seventh Group I winner for Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, who had a stakes double at Flemington as his super promising daughter Fangirl beat the colts to win the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes. Read about her here.
