After a thrilling result last start and a second career Group 1 win for I’m Thunderstruck, we look forward to seeing his attempt at a third this Sunday at Sandown.
While only a small field of 6 has been assembled, he faces very talented G1 horses. Mark Zahra is back on board at 59kg and ‘Thunder’ will jump from the outside barrier.
Sunday’s $1 million Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) is shaping up as a Cox Plate trial and Mick Price is keen to see how I’m Thunderstruck shapes up.
“It is going to be a small field and you’ll probably have one out in front Alligator (Blood) and the rest will be in a bunch, so it’s not a frenetic 1800 metres,” believes Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr.
“Typical weight-for-age race, they roll around and then they have to lift and sprint.
“I don’t think the tempo will be against him and I think the tempo will be fine.”
I’m Thunderstruck has been thriving between runs. Initially worried he might feel his last start, having to sprint hard to the finish line, he pulled up in great order.
“He did have a hard run, but he has capacity and that’s what makes a G1 horse. Credit to a good horse!”, says trainer Mick Price after he saw the horse the morning after his Group 1 win in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
“We stick to our plan, going to the Underwood, 13 days into the Might and Power and then to the Cox Plate.”
The Cox Plate is the longer-term aim in October, but this horse is providing great thrills and priceless memories for OTI and all of his connections every time he steps onto the track.
See all race detail and the full field here.
Part of the above is an exert of Ben Sporle’s Racing.com article, which can be read in full here.