Trainer John O’Shea has no distance queries with Victoria Derby aspirant King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) ahead of the gelding’s first Melbourne start at Moonee Valley.
King Of Thunder, a winner of one of his four starts on the NSW provincial circuit this season, steps up to 2040m for the first time in Saturday’s Drummond Golf Vase for three-year-olds and the gelding’s breeding and style has his co-trainer adamant he will relish that distance and more.
King Of Thunder is by Tivaci out of Zabeel mare Sheezababe, while his grand-dam Honor Babe won the 2003 Group 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m.
“One thing about him is that he’s got no problem in running the trip,” said O’Shea, who trains in partnership with Tom Charlton.
“He’s a genuine mile-and-a-half horse.
“If he runs well, he’ll go to the Derby.
“Mac (James McDonald) was happy with him (on Tuesday morning), so he’ll ride him on Saturday.”
King Of Thunder won a 1600-metre maiden at Kembla Grange two starts ago on August 31 with blinkers on, before returning from a freshen-up to finish midfield over the same course and distance in a Benchmark race on October 12 after getting back from a wide draw.
The gelding did not have blinkers on at his most recent start, but they have been re-applied for Saturday’s race at The Valley.
King Of Thunder galloped at The Valley on Tuesday morning with McDonald aboard.
O’Shea and McDonald combined to win the Vase with Savvy Nature in 2013.
McDonald is also booked to ride Polymnia for the stable in Saturday’s G2 Fillies Classic (1600m).
The filly by Dundeel was a fast-finishing second over 1400m in a maiden on the Kensington track at Randwick last start and has been installed as an early favourite for Saturday’s race.
