Former WA galloper Superstorm will start a new chapter of his racing career in Queensland’s richest race this weekend.
Superstorm, who started his career under the care of Perth trainers Grant and Alana Williams for Peters Investments, will have his first start for new trainer Lauren Abbott in Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
The six-year-old hasn’t raced since he finished last in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley earlier this year.
Bob and Sandra Peters placed the gelding in an online sale in March and Abbott purchased him for $70,000.
Abbott said she was thankful to get the opportunity to train a horse of Superstorm’s calibre.
“I’ve been really lucky a lot of people that have worked with him in the past have contacted me and asked how the horse is going,” Abbott told TABradio.
“He’s a very quirky horse and everybody loves him.
“Everyone wants to see him do well.
“We all know he’s got a motor and we know he can do it.”
Prior to Superstorm’s most recent run in the Australia Stakes, he won the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and was competitive in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) during the 2021 Melbourne Cup carnival.
Despite having a record that would be the envy of most of his Stradbroke rivals, Superstorm is the $101 outside with TABtouch.
Think About It, a last start Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) winner, is the $2.75 favourite.
James Orman will ride Superstorm from barrier 16 on Saturday.
Abbott said she was realistic about Superstorm’s prospects this weekend and identified the Listed Tatts Mile (1600m) on June 24 as his target.
“It would be a great fairy tale if we could pull it off,” she said.
“Obviously, a mile is his best distance.
“If he’s storming home in the last 200 metres I’d be just as happy as if he won the Stradbroke.”
Tim Walker