Magic Hurricane Wins Metropolitan To Give Godolphin Royal Randwick Five

Magic Hurricane completed a fantastic day for Godolphin in Australia with a decisive victory in the Group One McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan Handicap over 12 furlongs at Royal Randwick, on Saturday, October 3.

Godolphin, trainer John O'Shea and jockey James McDonald gained five winners on the day at Royal Randwick, with two Listed successes, one Group Three win, one Group Two victory and finally Group One glory.

Five-year-old Magic Hurricane broke well but was held up in seventh of the 13 runners before moving up a place to sixth.

He made smooth progress on the outside turning in and came with strong run to lead over a furlong out.

Magic Hurricane won well by two lengths from Beaten Up, with stable companion Havana Cooler (Joao Moreira) keeping on in third, a further head in arrears.

John O'Shea commented: "I have never known a day remotely like this.

"But it is about the quality of the horses I have to train, the people around me and the facilities we operate on.

"I think if most trainers had the same things at their disposal, they would achieve similar results.

"I am humbled by the opportunity and grateful for the performance of my team. We knew we had the horses right and then it was a matter of Mac (James McDonald) putting them in the right spot and things working out.

"It is my job also to make sure that the jockeys we put on His Highness's horse are the best available. When Sammy (Clipperton) was not available, we got Joao (Moreira) down. No-one can dispute his ability and he rode beautifully, but everybody knows how highly I think of Mac and he is starting to pay it back.

"Hopefully, Magic Hurricane has made his way into the Caulfield Cup (Group One, 12f, Caulfield, October 17) - he is just coming right.

"He began well from the inside gate, then came away from the rail for a steady run around into the straight. He ran the 2,400 metres right out and I was extremely happy with his effort.

"Havana Cooler began well from an outer gate, got across and travelled behind mid-field on the fence.

"Coming out of the corner, he stuck to the inside rail but was very strong to the line and made up good ground.

"He is looking for two miles but this was another very good performance. He will go to the SAAB now and try to qualify for the Emirates Melbourne Cup (Group One, 2m, Flemington, November 3).

James McDonald declared: "It is amazing. It is actually fantastic to be a part of Godolphin's team.

"I play a very small role, but I am just privileged that I am riding for one of the greatest empires in the world.

"Gate one was just so important to win this race on Magic Hurricane - as soon as the barriers opened I knew he would do well.

"I think he is a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half horse. Credit to Sheikh Mohammed, he brought six European horse down here and three have won Group Ones. Let's hope Hartnell (tomorrow) wins too."