The Belmont meeting in Perth was abandoned on Saturday after just five races, but that was enough time for punters to get a look at a two year-old by Too Darn Hot (GB) that is the last foal of a sensational WA blue hen who sadly passed away last year.
The Dan Morton trained Too Darn Stormy certainly has a pedigree to suggest that he can go on to bigger things.
On debut at 1200m after two excellent trials, the impeccably bred youngster was sent out a firm favourite by punters and he didn't disappoint.
Under the guidance of William Pike from a tricky barrier Too Darn Stormy raced like a true professional in the big field of 16 inexperienced horses.
When asked by Pike he showed good acceleration and went to the line strongly to win by half a length from fillies Moonwalk (Bondi) and Playin’ It Sweet (Playing God).
Morton trains Too Darn Stormy for his breeders Oakland Park Stud and an ownership group which notably includes Ciaron Maher Racing.
“It was a little bit sticky being wide early, but he slotted in nicely and the horse was good enough to get it done,” Morton said, intimating that Too Darn Stormy would probably have one more start before being put away in hope of targeting carnival riches later in the year.
Willy Pike was full of praise for the youngster's attitude.
“He was actually an absolute ripper. He jumped cleanly, came back to me when the pace steadied and, most importantly, has a lovely turn of foot.
“He trialled professionally, he’s racing professionally, and there’s definitely some upside there”.
Too Darn Stormy was offered at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by vendor Milburn Creek but failed to meet his reserve of $400,000.
His dam Stormy Nova by the great Metal Storm was one of the best three year olds of her generation.
A classy sprinter miler, her Perth wins included the G3 WATC Champion Fillies Stakes, G3 Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic and Listed Belgravia Stakes while in Adelaide she was victorious in the G2 Yallambee Classic and Listed Redelva Stakes.
Stormy Nova continued her winning ways at stud. Every one of her ten foals was to race, and nine would be winners, four of them - to date - are stakes winners.
Too Darn Stormy is the final foal from his illustrious dam, who died last year, and he may yet add more black type glory to her record as a producer.
Stormy Nova's progeny are headlined by her outstanding son Superstorm whom she foaled to Sebring in 2016.
A dual G1 winner in Melbourne (Feehan Stakes, Cantala Stakes) this tough competitor G1 placed in the Australian Guineas, All-Star Mile, Underwood Stakes and Toorak Hcp - twice.
Superstorm's younger full sister Mikimoto born in 2014 won the Listed WATC Burgess Queen Stakes and was third in the G3 Champion Fillies.
Stormy Nova also produced high quality filly Cosmic Storm (Street Sense) who collected the G3 La Trice Classic and Belmont Oaks among her seven wins ( four black type) and is also a producer.
Cosmic Storm's full brother Royal Command also won 7 races including the Listed Tattersalls Cup.
Stormy Nova was troubled by fertility issues at times during her breeding career, but fortunately she was only ever in the best of hands.
Her last three foals including Too Darn Stormy were bred by Oaklands Park Stud and prior to that she was part of Bob Peters elite broodmare band.
Stormy Nova's dam Pro Challenge was sired by the Mr Prospector son Protos, an enduring source of quality in the WA broodmare population.
She too was a talented race mare, stakes placed and a reliable producer of seven winners but Stormy Nova was her standout offspring.
Pro Challenge was one of only three foals from her dam Carousel Challenge, all winners.
This female line is Colonial family 10 tracing to the taproot mare Betty, sired in the early days of NSW settlement by the famous Arabian stallion Hector out of the imported Old Betty.
Betty founded a successful and prolific family and her line continues strong in the West, notably through her descendant Todvega, daughter Vegahoney and grand daughter La Volta.
Stakes winners Terevega, Solemn, Honeywine, Priority Road, Balfine, Rodin, Coastwatch, Catch A Fire, Seaburge, Mighty Boss and this month's Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winning filly Pinito are of this family.
Looking at Too Darn Stormy's pedigree a few things stand out.
The first is that Stormy Nova deserved the opportunity to meet with this extraordinary sire as he provides for hugely upgrading nicks to some of the lines coming through her dam which are quality, but lesser quality or less known family members.
Next is Mr Prospector 5m x 4m.
One of the most notable aspects of Stormy Nova's pedigree was her 4f x 5f breeding to the excellent son of My Babu, Milesian. This nicks particularly beautifully with Too Darn Hot's dam lines.
Too Darn Hot descends from a daughter of the important stallion Venture by Relic, and Stormy Nova's second dam Carousel Challenge is especially strong in blood that would complement him.
There are also many duplications of families 4-r, 11, 12 and 22 to create a pedigree that is really extremely appealing.
It gives hope that Too Darn Stormy may be the final genetic flourish for his Blue Hen dam and yet another topliner for his record breaking sire.
Too Darn Hot will shuttle to Darley NSW this season at a fee of $275,000
