Golden Eagle Winner Ready for Spring Flight

Media Release - Tuesday August 9

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.

Golden Eagle winner I'm Thunderstruck has G1 goals for this spring - image Steve Hart

The New Zealand-bred gelding has proved a massive money-spinner for his connections, winning six of his 14 starts, including the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m), and was runner-up in both the A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Doncaster (1600m) behind fellow Kiwi private purchase Mr Brightside in autumn.

His trainers said the challenge now for the son of Shocking is to step up to weight-for-age, with his season set to culminate with a tilt at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October.

“He’s got to go to weight-for-age now, we think he can. He has got the right size, strength, and turn of foot to be a weight-for-age horse,” Kent told RSN.

“We were pretty outspoken last prep that he was a little behind at the start of the preparation, he caught up pretty well. He was held up in the All-Star Mile and ran a good second to Zaaki. The Doncaster was good and he gave a lot of weight to Mr Brightside.

“He has had a trial already and is going to Sandown tomorrow for a racecourse gallop and will have another trial next Monday.

“For the Memsie (Gr.1, 1400m) first-up he will be well forward.

“I think a race like the Makybe Diva (Gr.1, 1600m) second-up and the Underwood, which is at Sandown Hillside this year, will be his two races.

“We have got Mark Zahra booked for the first-up run, so hopefully he is lucky for us.”

Kent said he would then likely press on to the Gr.1 Might and Power Stakes (2000m) before the Cox Plate.

Advertisement

“We are going to the Cox Plate, that is the plan at this stage is Memsie, Makybe, Underwood, Might And Power, and Cox Plate,” he said.

“It is a busy prep but he is a very tough, sound horse and is going really well.”

While sixth in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in his only test over 2000m to date, Kent believes the five-year-old will handle the distance.

“We haven’t really tested him yet (over 2000m). We kept him fresh for the Golden Eagle the prep before last. Last prep he had one go at 2000m – it was an afterthought, a week back-up from the Doncaster, and it was on a Heavy 12 track and he hated it,” he said.

“He is by Shocking after all and is relaxing better than ever.”

I’m Thunderstruck was bred by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones.

Previously based in Kumeu, chartered accountant Forlong and accomplished rider Jones purchased I’m Thunderstruck’s dam Primadonna Girl for just $2400 through good friend Danny Rolston, former Bloodstock Sales Manager for New Zealand Bloodstock.

Initially trained in New Zealand by Daniel Miller, I’m Thunderstruck was purchased by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo for clients OTI Racing after his 1000m trial win at Te Aroha two years ago. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
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.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.
Kiwis to Cheer I'm Thunderstruck in G1 Memsie
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are upbeat about the chances of I’m Thunderstruck ahead of his first-up run in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Shock Passing of I’m Thunderstruck
Tragic news yesterday from the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable with the loss of stable star I’m Thunderstruck due to a post-surgical complication resulting in him being euthanised.
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.
Shocking's I'm Thunderstruck Opens Stakes Account in Group 1 Toorak
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.
First Foal for Hilal Delights Grangewilliam Stud
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox.