Clarendon Stakes sees Stormy Marco claim debut victory
In a standout first run, Stormy Marco guided a Chris Waller trifecta to the line as odds-on shot Tenenbaum underperformed during the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) held at Hawkesbury last Saturday.
This juvenile highlight traditionally launches the Hawkesbury isolated card and Waller often employs it to gear up his promising two-year-olds toward the Brisbane winter carnival.
Stormy Marco and teammate Nations League are set to follow that trajectory after their close duel for supremacy.
The $21 chance Stormy Marco ranked as the longest of Waller's three entrants but surged late under Sam Clipperton to win by half a length from Nations League ($7.50), with Fondness ($8.50) two lengths adrift in third.
The $1.22 favourite Tenenbaum enjoyed a dream trip yet tired markedly to end up fourth, just ahead of Grafology.
Though Waller skipped the Hawkesbury fixture, assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth revealed intentions to point Stormy Marco and Nations League 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.
Riding a calculated trail close to the pace, Clipperton praised Stormy Marco's initial success.
"He's a quiet-natured horse and will only improve off that,'' Clipperton said. "He has kicked off his career in good style today.''
Duckworth highlighted the commendable showings of Nations League and Fondness in the placings.
"Nations League had to dig deep and was strong to the line but he might have been beaten by a good one,'' he said.
"Fondness did well jumping from 1100m to 1400m which is never easy.''
On race day, Waller scratched talented colt The Roaring Sun from the Clarendon, with Duckworth suggesting a tilt at Gosford's standalone or the Ken Russell Memorial Classic on the Gold Coast next Saturday.
The stable's other star juvenile, unbeaten St Gotthard, trialled at Canterbury last Friday and may race at Gosford or Gold Coast soon.
The latest TAB Fixed Odds market for the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 13 lists The Roaring Sun at $7 as second favourite, St Gotthard $11, Nations League $26, with Melbourne's undefeated Blind Raise leading at $4.50.
Head to the online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race.
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