Windstorm Sails Home
Windstorm showed he has some talent when he made an impressive winning debut at Belmont on Wednesday.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding, bred and owned by Bob Peters and trained by Grant and Alana Williams, finished too well for his rivals in the Tabtouch-Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m).
Sent out a $4.60 chance, Windstorm was near last on straightening and appeared to have a hard task in front of him when the well-backed favourite Boomtastic booted clear passing the 200m.
But after jockey Shaun McGruddy took advantage of the cutaway and shifted to the centre of the track in the straight, Windstorm was able to jump out of the ground and lengthen stride late.
Windstorm won his first race by 1 ½ lengths, defeating Boomtastic and Is A Bombshell, who was a length away third.
Peters was pleased by the debut victory.
“I thought after his first trial he had some ability, “Peters said.
“I’m a little surprised he didn’t start a little shorter.
“I was surprised people didn’t want to know him.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he got a mile or further.
“He’ll probably have a break now.”
Windstorm gave McGruddy the first leg of a running double after Three Secrets ended a long losing spell.
He said he was delighted to renew a successful association with Peters.
“I’ve only ridden one winner for Mr Peters and that was as an apprentice,” McGruddy said.
“I get the call up now and then, obviously not the first choice, but you always feel like a winner when you put on the colours.
“He is quality and is bred to be good.”
Meanwhile Lindsey Smith hopes Too Close The Sun can follow in the footsteps of his brother after shedding his maiden status in the Free Entry To Belmont Park Maiden (1700m).
After two placings from his opening three starts earlier this year, the lightly-raced four-year-old made a successful return, defeating Brave Call and Simonelly by ¾ of a length and a short-neck respectively.
Smith said Too Close The Sun shows the same sign as Trap For Fools.
“This horse shows similar signs.” Smith said.
“Let’s hope he is half as good.”
Trap For Fools won 10 races for Smith including three successive Listed races in the Tattersall’s Cup (2100m), the Towton Cup (2200m) and the ATA Stakes (2200m).
The Poet’s Voice gelding won the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) for Jarrod McLean at Flemington last year.
Julio Santarelli