Mick Price fears star galloper I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) will be underdone when he returns to the track in next week’s Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m), despite switching the horse into a more competitive jumpout on Tuesday.
The Toorak Handicap and Golden Eagle winner will be given a 1000m hit-out against the likes of Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Ripper Rita (Street Boss) at Cranbourne on Tuesday, after originally being set to tackle a 1200-metre jumpout instead.
But Price conceded that, even with a more strenuous gallop, the four-year-old will not be in peak physical shape for his first-up run, which is being used as a springboard to the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
“The 1200-metre trial looked like a non-event for him because there was only going to be five or six runners and they were going to crawl,” said Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr.
“I’m going to put him in a 1000-metre trial and that will be a more competitive trial for him, but I am convinced that, unfortunately, first-up he’s going to be underdone.
“He’s got the class but he’s a more burly horse this preparation.
“We’ll get a good measure on him second-up of where he is.
“His two goals are The All-Star Mile and the Doncaster and I’m pretty sure he’ll be spot on for both of those.”
I’m Thunderstruck is rated a $4.60 second elect in Sportsbet’s C.F. Orr Stakes market, while he’s the $4.60 equal favourite for The All-Star Mile.
While Price ruled out backing up I’m Thunderstruck in the $5m Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) during The Championships, he is keen to try the gelding over 2000m at some stage this season.
Long term, the Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley in October shapes as a target.
“I think 2000m will be good for him,” he said. “He’s got a very good turn of foot and if he carries that speed and stamina towards 2000m, he’s going to be a very good horse.
“In my opinion, that (Queen Elizabeth) would be a no-no.
“You’re training a horse for a mile and all of a sudden you’re going to run him in a 2000-metre race (seven days later).
“But certainly if he ended up in Queensland, maybe the Doomben Cup and then he could have a breather up there and get ready for the Cox Plate that way.”
I’m Thunderstruck is one of several of Price and Kent Jnr’s stars who will jump out on Tuesday, with last year’s Inglis Millennium winner Profiteer, Blue Sapphire Stakes winner Extreme Warrior and emerging two-year-old Jacquinot also entered to trial over 800m.
The jumpouts were originally scheduled for Monday but were pushed back 24 hours due to a lack of available barrier attendants after Racing Victoria made the decision to postpone Sunday’s Sale race meeting to Monday.
