Rotorua Stakes Wins for Storm Creek and Keeper

Storm Cat’s son Storm Creek sired his 21st stakes winner when the G3 Rotorua Cup at Arawa Park was won by the seven-year-old gelding Storming The Tower.

Storming The Tower (Storm Creek x Midnight Dip by O’Reilly) had not won for more than two years befoire he landed the Bay Of Plenty Cup in March.

“He’s run a lot of seconds, thirds and fourths in Group and other races so he does deserve this,” said trainer John Bell.

“Rotorua can be a tricky track so he’s done well to handle it. He’ll be going for his hurdle ticket at some stage, but he does need a break as well so we’ll see what happens.”

Storming The Tower cost just $4200 at Karaka and has now had 47 starts for six wins, nine seconds, eight thirds and $199,875 prize-money.

He is out of the O’Reilly mare Midnight Dip, a half-sister to Oaks placegetter Midnight Kiss (Groom Dancer) who is the dam of G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Midnight Interlude (War Chant).

* CAMBRIDGE Stud’s Danehill sire Keeper sired his 32nd stakes winner when his Group-placed daughter Illuminati won the Listed Rotorua Stakes.

The 6YO Iluminati (Keeper x Heavenly Trail by Godswalk) has risen from a $15,000 bargain buy at the NZB Ready to Run Sale in 2011 to be a valuable broodmare prospect.

She has amassed more than $190,000 in stakes earnings from nine wins and 11 placings including black type placings in the G3 Winter Cup, White Robe Lodge Handicap and Cuddle Stakes for trainer Ben Foote.

Illuminati spent part of this season in the Riccarton Park stable of Terri Rae, for whom she recorded her three stakes placings. This was her first start back in Foote’s stable.