Magic Hurricane & Havana Cooler Up For Metropolitan

Time/Date - 17.20hrs local time/Saturday, October 3, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f

Magic Hurricane and Havana Cooler step up to Group One level in the McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan Handicap over a mile and a half at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, October 3.

Five-year-old Magic Hurricane (John O'Shea/James McDonald) was collared near the line to go down by a short-neck to Preferment in the Group Two Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes over 10 furlongs at the same course on September 19.

He ran on gamely for a nose success in the nine-furlong Listed Premier's Cup at Rosehill Gardens on August 29, and made two handicap appearances at Royal Randwick in June, including a comfortable victory over seven furlongs.

Havana Cooler (John O'Shea/Joao Moreira) was blocked for a run when sixth in the 10-furlong Group Three Kingston Town Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on September 12 and was unsuited by the tight track in the Listed Carlton Mid Wyong Gold over a similar trip at Wyong on September 4, in which he finished last.

The five-year-old stayed on well to be a never-nearer sixth in a blanket finish to a nine-furlong handicap on his Australian debut at Rosehill Gardens on August 15 and was twice successful over 10 and 12 furlongs in the UK in 2013.

John O'Shea commented: "Magic Hurricane is a dramatic improver since his Hill Stakes run, which will be reflected in his run here. In the Hill Stakes, he was three weeks between runs and just over-raced a bit in the early stage which compromised his finish.

"He has done a power of work since then and looks magnificent as a result. From gate one, James will give him a beautiful ride, put him to sleep and present him at the end - if he does that he will fight out the finish.

"Havana Cooler has had a wonderful preparation leading into this race. He is a very fit racehorse and has been crying out for dry ground and a mile and a half on a big track - he gets that here.

"From gate 11, Joao Moreira will ride him conservatively but I expect him to be presenting late and have high expectations of him being in the finish of this race."

Magic Hurricane and Havana Cooler, who both race with the minimum weight for the race of 8st 10lb, face 11 others headed by Nad Al Sheba Trophy winner Almoonqith, the BMW third Beaten Up and Irish Listed scorer Chance To Dance.