SA based Rathmore Lodge are in Sydney for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale next week with another great draft of youngsters and Stormy Marco, one they sold at this sale in 2024, led home a Chris Waller trained trifecta in the $160,000 Clarendon Stakes (1400m) at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
The Clarendon does not carry Black Type, but has traditionally been a stepping stone race for promising back season juveniles that have gone on to stakes success at three with all three place-getters sure to be on that trajectory.
Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Stormy Marco was the longest priced runner of the Waller trio, coming into this assignment unraced off the back three quiet trials, but talent takes you a long way.
He was the widest runner turning for home and green as grass, but under the urgings of Sam Clipperton was able to get the upper hand from $1.7million Snitzel colt Nations League with blueblood Frankel filly Adoringly in third place carrying the Godolphin colours.
Chris Waller's ssistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said Stormy Marco and Nations League are likely to be aimed at the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm next month.
"Stormy Marco was in the trials on Monday but when this race fell away and became a field of five, we felt he should be running,'' Duckworth said.
"He's by Wootton Bassett, a sire who is flying at the moment, and we felt the colt trialled well enough and had the education to go to the races.
"The 1400m was a better option for him than going to Gosford next week (1200m).
"As it turned out, he did everything right today and was strong late."
Stormy Marco was a $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Coolmore for Chris Waller Racing / Mulcaster Bloodstock / Hermitage Thoroughbreds and was a successful pinhook having been sourced from Rathmore Lodge at the Inglis Weanling Sale for $70,000.
Stormy Marco is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Rose Memory (IRE), a placed half-sister by Elusive City to Group II winner Hard Dream.
Footnote: Click here to see what Rathmore Lodge are offering next week!
