Star pacer Magnificent Storm is set to make another comeback at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It was heartbreak for Magnificent Storm’s connections earlier this year when a knock to his splint bone saw him ruled out of the $1.25 million Nullarbor less than a week before the race.
While it was only a minor setback, it also saw him ruled out of a shot at the Retravision-Fremantle Cup a week later.
Trainer Ray Williams said all the signs had been positive ahead of his return.
“It’s great to have him back,” Williams told Racing WA Harness.
“I’m really happy with him.
“His work has been good and so has his heart rate but being Storm, he might need a run or two to come right.
“I’d love to see him win, but he has to draw nine and some of these have been going around for a while.”
The eight-year-old was on track to be one of the key players in the Nullarbor, following a brave win in March’s $50,000 Bunbury Cup.
He’s expected to have a short campaign this time in, before being aimed at December’s WA Pacing Cup.
While Williams was disappointed to miss out on the Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup, he said he was focused on getting Magnificent Storm a second success in the Pacing Cup.
“Hopefully he can have two starts this time in, just to get him back to the track,” he said.
“He will have a short break after that and come back for the Pacing Cup again.
“He’s a day-to-day proposition now, but his work has been really good at home.”
Williams will also start Vanderbilt at Gloucester Park on Friday.
The five-year-old finished last campaign with three consecutive wins and Williams expected he would continue to step up this campaign.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix