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Brilliant sprinter Windstorm joins Michael Grantham stable ahead of tilt at The Pinnacles at Ascot

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Jay RooneyThe West Australian
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Windstorm is the latest Bob and Sandra Peters-owned galloper to join the Michael Grantham stable.
Camera IconWindstorm is the latest Bob and Sandra Peters-owned galloper to join the Michael Grantham stable. Credit: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Forgotten star Windstorm is the latest Bob and Sandra Peters-owned galloper to join the Michael Grantham stable.

The Caulfield stakes winner has returned from a spell in the care of Grantham in his bid to return to racing for the first time since spring 2020.

A virus two days before the Roma Cup (1200m) last year thwarted Windstorm’s comeback and the Peters family has handled him patiently since.

Grantham has trained a swag of winners since the Peters’ teamed up with him this year, headlined by Raconteur Stakes (1400m) and Belmont Guineas (1600m) victor Devoted.

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“He came into work with the latest batch of horses this week,” Bob Peters said.

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“He’s had a couple of little stints pre-training and then gone back out again.

“It didn’t work out last year when he came back for the weight-for-age races in winter, so we kept him for this carnival.

“If he came up and won a couple or went very well, we’ll look at the big races.”

Windstorm burst on the scene for former trainers Grant and Alana Williams, winning five of his first six starts before racing in Melbourne.

The Redoute’s Choice gelding won consecutive Caulfield races, including the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m), but failed on a heavy Rosehill track at his last start in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m).

Bob Peters said WA’s new $1.5 million feature, The Gold Rush (1400m), could be a suitable target during The Pinnacles at Ascot.

“It’s a hard one to work out what to do with him distance-wise,” he said.

“I think the Winterbottom would be too short.”

Devoted is still spelling after his successful Belmont campaign but will resume work soon ahead of a tilt at the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).

Treasured Star, the brilliant winner of last year’s Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m), also started her preparation for the Ascot carnival at the stables of Adam Durrant this week.

The Peters’ will chase their first Belmont Classic (2200m) victory in 10 years with Mystery Moment on Saturday.

The Animal Kingdom filly relished a heavy Pinjarra track to score a dominant 2000m win before her unlucky fourth behind Searchin’ Roc’s in the Belmont Oaks (2000m) last start.

“I think she will handle the 2200,” Bob Peters said.

“I would have liked a bit more rain closer to Saturday instead of now.

“I doubt if she could beat the Pearces’ two boys (Black Fantasy and Outspoken Lad), they both look pretty good.”

Mystery Moment is a $4.60 chance with Ladbrokes. Black Fantasy is the $2.80 favourite.

Trainer Michelle Cockell will face a stewards’ inquiry after an illegal level of TCO2 was detected in a blood sample from Modern Times before he raced at Roebourne last Friday. He ran last of seven.

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