New Zealand-bred galloper I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) has come through his second placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) in fine fettle and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are keen to push on towards the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
The four-year-old son of Shocking finished a length-and-a-half behind All-Star Mile winner Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux), with the race run in a sedate 1:36.54, with the pace slackening mid-race and suiting the on-pace winner.
“That race was two halves,” Price told Radio TAB. “The first bit was Jamie Kah up the front and good luck to her and Zaaki, he is a good horse. She was up the front swinging along running even time with her balaclava on about to steal a $5 million race.
“The other bit was the rest of the field just muddling up on each other.
“I was very proud of Thunder, he went good, it was just one of those races where barrier one was always going to be a bit problematic. He has pulled up great, he had a nice trot and swim this morning and he looks fantastic.
“He’ll go to the Doncaster with 55.5kgs with Hugh Bowman on.
“It will be four runs without over-taxing him then we will give him a little breather and put a weight-for-age campaign in front of him.”
Sporting the colours of OTI Racing, I’m Thunderstruck has earned a remarkable A$5,762,650 in prizemoney money since crossing the Tasman after winning at trial at Te Aroha from Daniel Miller’s barn, after catching the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.
Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi import Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) is building towards a return after a lengthy stint off following a spider bite.
“He is beautiful. He galloped over 1200m this morning and was very good with it,” Price said.
“He is excellent in himself, his breathing is good and Pat Maloney rode him.
“I think he will only be a couple of weeks off trialling.
“I was thinking he would end up back in Brisbane, Sydney is finished and he needs racing.”
