Boy storms to 2024 Magic Millions glory for Waterhouse and Bott

A horse walks into a pub, and the barman asks, why the long face? It's a joke as old as time itself, but in the case of Storm Boy, it's the story of some of his owners buying into the 2024 Magic Millions winner. Gai Waterhouse strolled into a pub garden with the horse and sold him to patrons enjoying a beer. They have shares in one of the most exciting prospects in Australia.

Impressive Gold Coast win

Pause the race 100m from home, and Storm Boy has the race wrapped up with a neat bow. He had to work a little harder than that, especially in the early stages, to try and make his way across the field from his barrier draw in 10.

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus was already asking him a question as the field turned into the straight, and Storm Boy had all the answers. He responded with a perfect attitude to the persuasion to gallop his rivals into submission.

On this display, he obviously has the speed to win over the 1200m trip but shapes as if he will be better when they stretch him out further. His dam was a 1200m horse, but his sire won the US Triple Crown, so 1600m in time should be fine.

Time may tell that runner-up Highness has been unlucky to run into one of the talents of Storm Boy in this contest, and the third Spywire was in barrier 12, so this effort can be upgraded a touch.

Size and scope to make a three-year-old

Looking at them before the race, it is clear that Storm Boy is already the size of a three-year-old. That can be good and bad at this stage of a career. He is, without a doubt, the most physically impressive specimen that was in the field; it's now a matter of whether any of the others grow to catch up with him.

Perhaps he has more growing to do himself, which will always keep him a size ahead, but those with the stature can impress early but cannot kick on when the others start to grow. We hope that will not be the case with Storm Boy, and he can continue to add to that size as he matures.

Now the $4.50 Golden Slipper favourite

The 2024 Golden Slipper will be run on March 23 at Rosehill, and it should be no surprise to anyone that this colt is the favourite on the betting sites. After this performance, other rival connections will be scratching their heads, wondering how they can try to get him beat.

There are still ten weeks to go between then and now, so those looking to get involved in a future market will hope that all goes smoothly for the colt between then and now. It is hard to think of a two-year-old we have seen in action this season who will be able to trouble Storm Boy so soon, but as we all know, racing can be a funny sport sometimes.