Chicago Storm broke a six-year drought for trainer David Aldridge earlier this month and the exciting three-year-old is looking to take another step forward at Morphettville Parks this weekend.
The Trust In A Gust gelding couldn’t have been more impressive at Gawler a fortnight ago, giving the Murray Bridge handler his first Saturday metro victory since Brinkley Bliss in May 2016.
Chicago Storm looks to be a galloper with plenty of upside – he’s had two wins and a second in three starts this prep – but he faces his biggest test so far in the Spring Carnival at Morphettville Handicap (1250m), tackling a smart group of opponents.
He’s a $3.30 hope according to the TAB, holding favouritism over the Peter Moody-trained Forbidden City at $3.50, with Jacks On Ice ($4.80) next in line.
“He’s been very impressive in all his starts this time in and we’re excited by him,” Aldridge said.
“What level he’ll get to, we don’t know and (Saturday) will probably be a good guide.
“It’s the strongest field that he’s met, but in saying that if Legless Lady was in the field, she’d probably start favourite and we ran second to her two starts ago.
“He’s a little bit of an unknown, but there’s plenty of potential there.”
The biggest challenge might be a wide draw and Barend Vorster will be tasked with overcoming it.
“It is (a concern), especially around the Parks but you can’t do much about it,” Aldridge said.
“It’s the last three-year-old race of the year and we’ve really got to run in it because he’ll be four in a couple of weeks.
“It’s Barend’s problem I suppose but he’s a good jockey and hopefully he can overcome it.”
Aldridge only ever has a handful in work at any given time but has enjoyed plenty of winners over the years, most notably with the ‘Brinkley’ horses – including Bliss, Lass, Boy and Belle.
But he’s endured a rough patch recently and is thrilled to have a smart horse in the team again.
“We’re only a little stable and we’ve just had a pretty ordinary run the last few years,” he said.
“We used to always have a handy one but that’s what you get when you’re a little stable.
“I’ve got five (in work) – I’ve been doing quite a bit of pre-training for Richard and Chantelle (Jolly) this year.”
Win, lose or draw on Saturday, Aldridge won’t put a ceiling on what Chicago Storm can achieve, but thinks he will be better once he gets over more ground.
“I honestly don’t know how far he’s going to get,” he said.
“I think he needs seven furlongs to a mile – he really runs through the line strong.
“I don’t think we’ll know until we try him over further.”
Originally published as David Aldridge says his exciting gelding Chicago Storm has ‘plenty of potential’
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