Justify Colt Returns a Winner in Australian G3

Justify’s stellar Australian colt Storm Boy (3c Justify x Pelican, by Fastnet Rock) returned a winner on Saturday with a victory in the Group III San Domenico Stakes.

Making his first start after his winter break, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee started his campaign going 5 ½ furlongs at Rosehill. It was easy sailing straight from the start with Storm Boy taking control early and never letting go. He easily outclassed the field, winning by three lengths, despite his jockey having no whip in the final 3/16ths of the race.

“He’s such a brilliant colt and there is so much talent there. I’m glad he’s come back and been able to race in that manner and showcase his talents and that natural speed that he’s got,” said Bott. “There is further improvement and we’ve always thought he’ll be better over further. Today he showed sustained speed and was able to run them into the ground and that’s the quality colt that he is.”

Bott pointed to the Group I Golden Rose as his next major target with many of Australia’s biggest races also on the table moving forward.

Storm Boy was purchased for $460,000 by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds from Coolmore’s consignment when they offered him on behalf of Morning Rise Stud. Coolmore joined his racing ownership in January.

A winner of five of his seven starts, Storm Boy is set to be seen yet again in two weeks for the Group II Run to the Rose.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Storm Boy was bred by Rob and Barb McClure of Morning Rise Stud and the Coolmore partners. He is the first foal out of Pelican, a juvenile winner by champion sire Fastnet Rock out of New Zealand Horse of the Year and seven-time Group I winner Seachange.

Pelican’s second foal, a colt by Pierro named Shangri La Boy, was sold at Magic Millions this year for $375,000 and will also be trained by Waterhouse and Bott.

Pelican produced a filly by St Mark’s Basilica last year and is due to foal again to Justify.

Justify has sired four stakes winners in the last week alone and six stakes winners overall in August.