2021 Kennedy Cantala Winner: Superstorm Beats Icebath, Cascadian in Photo

[Wandering Eyes]

A well-timed ride from Damien Oliver saw Superstorm over the line in Saturday’s Group 1 Kennedy Cantala over the mile at Flemington.

In what was arguably the most exciting finish of the day, the gelding by Sebring produced an enormous finish to win a photo by nothing more than a head-bob over Icebath and a very brave Cascadian.

The Danny O’Brien-trained five-year-old was having his fifth run back and always appeared a much stronger hope than the $8.00 quote suggested.

Superstorm won the Feehan Stakes over the mile at The Valley three runs back, before finishing third in both the Group 1 Underwood Stakes and the Toorak Handicap.

Fitter for recent runs, barrier 14 was the only knock on the promising galloper, but it proved to be a god send for Oliver as the pair chose to get back and run on.

Superstorm scored a well-deserved Group 1 in Saturday’s Kennedy Cantala at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

O’Brien said after the race that the stable did toy with the idea of running in last week’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate, but that a fast-run mile at Flemington always appealed a little more.

“We tossed up about running him in the Cox Plate, but we were really keen to see him at Flemington and a really high-pressure mile was the perfect set up for him,” O’Brien told Racing.com.

Superstorm stamped himself as a horse to watch this time last year when he won his maiden at Ascot by a big margin in his third career start.

HE went on to finish only two lengths fourth to Kay Cee in the Group 1 Kingston Town, before winning a black-type race back at Ascot first-up prior to his journey to Melbourne.

“He’s a really nice horse that’s raced at the top level his whole career, so it’s great for him to get a big Group 1, particularly on Derby Day,” O’Brien said.

Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian was incredibly unlucky not to add a second Group 1 to his resume, while Icebath lost no admirers on the quick backup following his win in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick last week.

The 2021 Kennedy Cantala finishing order, courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au, is available here.

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