Stormy Thunda Proves A Pick Me Up For Pickford

SEVEN-year-old bitch Stormy Thunda knew she needed to win a 300m Masters event at Casino on Tuesday night for her owner-trainer Susan Pickford at odds of 100-1.

Stormy Thunda (Lochinvar Marlow-Star Princess) led throughout to win her 12th race in 133 starts and downed her litter sister Watta Storm by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Watta Storm, trained by Susan's brother-in-law John Hewett, was having her 157th race start.

But what made the successful return to racing after a break since September last year even better was the fact Susan had lost “everything” in the recent Lismore floods.

“I always have something on my dogs when they race. I had $1 each way on her but took the TAB odds of $23 the win and $7 a place,” said Susan.

The final race at Casino last night was taken out by Stormy Thunda w littermate Watta Storm 2nd.

They were whelped in 2015 + celebrated their 7th b'days on March 2! With a combined age of 14, this has to be one of the 'oldest' quinellas ever – esp. from 2 littermates!#thedogs pic.twitter.com/DAW8aoJhLT

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 22, 2022

“But, it was lovely that she won.”

Susan always keeps her dogs at the Hewett's Dyraaba property.

“I work four days a week and go out at the weekends,” she said. “She and her sister just love running and going to the races.”

Susan, who will turn 65 in July, is staying with friends at Goonellabah while the long process of having her home repaired is undertaken.

“I'm not sure when I will be back in the house,” she said.

“I've lost everything. 65 years went out the window.

“But, I've applied for all the bits and pieces available to flood victims. That's my hope.”

Stormy Thunda, and her litter sister Watta Storm, were whelped in March 2015.

Stormy Thunda made her race debut in December 2016.

The win obviously came as a surprise.

The bitch had not started since September 30 last year, had not been placed since January 2021 and had not won since February 2020.

Those stats made no matter to Susan.

“It's been difficult to get races for her in Masters, and the younger dogs are hard to beat in them,” she said.

“I wasn't so sure about her drawing the one box because she usually likes to get wide in her races.”

Susan has a couple of two-year-olds, Stormy Paradise and Stormy Patch, she got from Doug King on the Northern Rivers.

“We won with Stormy Paradise at Casino last Thursday,” said Susan.