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.
The son of Shocking is a lot more forward in his preparation this time in and Price was buoyed by his work at his former home of Caulfield on Tuesday, but he is hoping for improvement in the track before the weekend.
I'm Thunderstruck returns on Saturday - image Steve Hart
“The better the track improves, the better he goes. He is a bit of a top of the ground horse, but he worked super this (Tuesday) morning,” Price told RSN.
“I’m Thunderstruck is not suited in it (soft ground). As you saw, his Queen Elizabeth (Gr.1, 2000m) run wasn’t very nice. A heavy track is an absolute no-no with that horse.”
Price has been encouraged by the gelding’s faultless preparation and he expects to see improvement from the five-year-old as he works towards to Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October.
“He is definitely fitter, he hasn’t got that blubbery look about him,” Price said.
“He will improve, he has got a five-run prep leading into the Cox Plate, but he is comfortable in the wind.
“He gallops his trials out and has a beautiful lead-up prep where he hasn’t missed a day and nothing has gone wrong with him, he is a happy horse.
“He is a horse that can get the shakes up a bit when you take him out. He had a gallop on the course proper at Sandown a week ago and went well this morning, so he is really relaxed and I think he will run super on Saturday.”
While I’m Thunderstruck has just had the one run over 2000m, finishing sixth on a heavy surface in the Queen Elizabeth, Price believes his gelding will suit the distance.
“He has got a bit better in the brain and he will definitely improve with racing,” Price said.
“I am guessing 2000m will be fine for him, he is a very good miler with a turn of foot.
“He is going great and it would be no surprise to see him run fantastic on Saturday.”
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 (NZ) (Edenwold) 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
