I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) returns to his home track at Caulfield following a trip to Sale where he recorded a first-up win.
Mick Price has a lot of time for lightly-raced I’m Thunderstruck who is set for a rise in grade at Caulfield.
I’m Thunderstruck is coming off a first-up win at Sale on June 9 and will run in the Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (1440m) on Saturday.
The son of Shocking is already a Caulfield winner, having won his first start in maiden class at the track in January, when a well-backed favourite, before Price and training partner Michael Kent Jr sent him straight to ‘black type’ company.
I’m Thunderstruck finished under three lengths from the winner Poland in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) on February 6 before being sent for a spell.
On resumption it was easy work for I’m Thunderstruck at Sale, although he was a drifter in the market from $1.35 out to $1.60, but at no stage did he give Mark Zahra any cause for concern and Zahra again takes the ride on Saturday.
Zahra galloped I’m Thunderstruck in a solo work out on the course proper at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, with Price saying the gelding did not have his mind on the job.
“He worked nicely, but they can have a bit of a gig when they’re out wide on the course proper,” Price told RSN.
“I didn’t really need to see him bowl up too much.”
Although a son of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Price does not see I’m Thunderstruck as a stayer.
He said the 1440m of Saturday’s contest looks ideal at this stage.
“I think he will be a beautiful 1600-metre horse when we get him there,” Price said.
“I don’t think he’s a stayer, but I do think he’ll be a nice mile horse.”
I’m Thunderstruck won a 1000m two-year-old trial at Te Aroha in July last year for Matamata horseman Daniel Miller.
The son of Shocking caught the eye of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo who negotiated his purchase for OTI Racing before being transferred to Price and Kent Jnr.
