2023 WA Pacing Cup winner Magnificent Storm is in doubt for the $1.25 million Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.
The eight-year-old was found to have some bone bruising in a leg this morning and was subsequently scratched from tonight’s Governors Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
In positive news for Magnificent Storm, the bruising wasn’t on the same leg he recently had surgery on that saw him sidelined for 14 months.
Trainer Ray Williams conceded it was now a race against time for his charge to be ready for the slot race and said he "won't do anything wrong by the horse".
Williams likened today's setback with the splint bone to a knock on the shin and was hopeful it could be treated over the weekend to keep his Nullarbor ambitions alive.
Owner Rob Tomlinson originally indicated Magnificent Storm would “be fine”, but would need four weeks in the paddock, with a view to bringing him back for December’s WA Pacing Cup.
Williams said he would likely give Magnificent Storm the four weeks off if he wasn't ready for the Nullarbor.
It would also see him miss next month's Retravision-Fremantle Cup (2936m).
Magnificent Storm made a stunning return from his recent layoff, finishing third to Sangue Reale in the Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) at Pinjarra.
The gelding went on to win the Bunbury Cup (2569m) late last month and beat Governors Cup favourite Mister Smartee in the process.
Magnificent Storm was set to fill Tomlinson’s Regency Foods slot for the Nullarbor later this month, a race he was unlucky and unplaced in the inaugural edition in 2023.
Tomlinson secured Catch A Wave to fill his slot last year in Magnificent Storm’s absence and indicated he could look to get a horse from the east again this year, if Magnificent Storm couldn't run in the event.
Tomlinson also has Golden Nugget runner-up Sorridere resuming from a break in tonight’s Catalano Pace (2130m) and wouldn’t rule him out of filling the slot.
Don Hugo was withdrawn from the Nullarbor earlier this week, leaving just
It now leaves just Minstrel, Mister Smartee, Swayzee and Catch A Wave as the only runners locked in for the event.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix