Shocking's I'm Thunderstruck Opens Stakes Account in Group 1 Toorak

Mark Smith - Saturday October 9

With two of the top chances in Saturday’s $1million Group 1 Hyland Race Colours Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield, Rich Hill Stud’s Melbourne Cup hero Shocking looked to have a stranglehold on the race.

While last start Group III Sandown Stakes winner Elephant will live to fight another day, the heavily backed I’m Thunderstruck will head to Sydney for the Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on October 30 following his dramatic victory.

I'm Thunderstruck finishes strongly (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Jye McNeil had a torrid ride on the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained favourite.

Forcing through a needle eye opening in the straight, I’m Thunderstruck defeated Tofane (Ocean Park) by three-quarter of a length with the same distance back to Superstorm (Sebring) in third.

Advertisement

“He really had to earn it today. A couple of different riders were out there to target him, which I suppose they’re entitled to at some stage,” McNeil said.

“I thought it was a really brave effort the way he handled himself, even at the top of the straight we had to get a little bit physical to find clear space and then Tofane challenged late.

“He was super tough.”

Mick Price said the 4yo son of Shocking had plenty to overcome.

“It was a tough race to watch. He didn’t get a moment’s rest.

“He didn’t get a chance to relax and travel. They were playing jockeys,” Price said.

“They were trying to keep the favourite in, and for him to keep fighting, for a young inexperienced horse, it was a massive effort.”

 “He is a big flashy kind of horse and I never thought it would come this soon with him. It’s very exciting. Hopefully he pulls up well.

“We blended prep two and prep three together. Now we’ve got three weeks until the Golden Eagle.

“Terry, Shane and Gus and all the team at OTI go back a long way as do Terry and I.

“I looked after one of William Haggas’ at Werribee and it won on Stakes Day (Fastnet Tempest). A thrill for everyone involved.”

I'm Thunderstruck Jye McNeil

I’m Thunderstruck made his maiden stakes win count with his top level success advancing his record to five wins and two thirds from eight starts with earnings of $902,400.

A half-brother to stakes-placed Cantstopthefeeling (Swiss Ace), I’m Thunderstruck is out of the lightly raced Primadonna Girl (Edenwold) who hails from the family of Group II winner Reno Belle and Listed winner Disco Bob.

I’m Thunderstruck becomes the 15th stakes-winner for Shocking and his second Group 1 winner after NZ Oaks heroine Fanatic.

Shocking stands at Rich Hill Stud for a fee of $8,500.

Advertisment

Race Result - Toorak Hcp Gr1 1600m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:34.87
1
I'm Thunderstruck
- 4g Shocking (AUS) x Primadonna Girl (NZ) (Edenwold (CAN))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jye McNeil 52
2
0.8
Tofane
- 6m Ocean Park (NZ) x Baggy Green (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Craig Williams 58
3
1.6
Superstorm
- 5g Sebring (AUS) x Stormy Nova (AUS) (Metal Storm (FR))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
Sebring
4
2.0
Quantum Mechanic
- 5m Deep Field (AUS) x Life In A Metro (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Newitt 52.5
5
2.5
Embolism
- 4g Shamus Award (AUS) x Peggie's Choice (AUS) (Ihtiram (IRE))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damien Thornton 52
6
2.9
Lunar Fox
- 4h Foxwedge (AUS) x Grant's Moon (USA) (Malibu Moon (USA))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: B Prebble 54
7
3.4
Second Slip
- 5g Alamosa (NZ) x Scarlet O'Hara (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous (AUS))
Tnr: Will Clarken Rdr: Ms L J Meech 52
8
3.8
Elephant
- 5g Shocking (AUS) x Ticklish (NZ) (Maroof (USA))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Damian Lane 55.5
9
3.9
So You Assume
- 4m So You Think (NZ) x Remlaps Jewel (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: D Yendall 52
10
9.9
Irish Flame
- 7g Zed (NZ) x Fleur De L'orient (NZ) (Thunder Gulch (USA))
Tnr: Brett Scott Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 52
11
14.9
Dice Roll
- 7g Showcasing (GB) x Schlague (FR) (Pulpit (USA))
Tnr: Nick Ryan Rdr: Fred W Kersley 53.5
12
49.9
Sierra Sue
- 5m Darci Brahma (NZ) x Centree (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 56
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale (November 12 and 13) is online with breeze up video now in place and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
New Cup Goal for Wolfgang
It may not be the Cup target they were aiming for, but Wolfgang put himself firmly into Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) calculations following his victory in the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Prelude (2400m) at Te Rapa on Monday.
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Golden Eagle Winner Ready for Spring Flight
I’m Thunderstruck is gearing up for a busy spring, with trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr setting their sights on plenty of feature spoils with the Group One winner.
One to Watch – Sha Tin – You Don’t See That Every Day!
The Mark Newnham stable has been on fire in Hong Kong since the start of the new season and the former Sydney trainer produced a super promising winner at Sha Tin on Sunday by Capitalist that did everything wrong and miraculously still won the race!
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
I'm Thunderstruck Claims Makybe Diva in a Thriller
Standing up the game Alligator Blood three lengths at the 200m, I’m Thunderstruck added a second Group 1 with a last stride triumph in a thrilling PFD Food Services Makybe Diva (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Impressive First winner for Armory
Mapperley Stud stallion Armory recorded his first winner on Sunday when his two-year-old daughter Silhouette raced to a dominant victory in the Fusion Electrical Two-Year-Old (900m) at Trentham.
Victorian Raider Plunders the $7.5million Golden Eagle
Following his win in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, I’m Thunderstruck plundered the first prize of $4,100,000 in Saturday’s XXXX Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.