Already this season I’m Thunderstruck has won big claiming the $7.5m Golden Eagle as well as the Group 1 Toorak Handicap in a huge Spring preparation but Kent Jr and Price are now looking for the four year old to kick on and prove himself at WFA grade.
Co-trainer Mick Price is looking forward to seeing how I’m Thunderstruck manages Weight for Age racing conditions with a long term strategy to continue targeting the big WFA races across the horse racing calendar.
The next move, should I’m Thunderstruck run well in the All Star Mile is for the gelding to target the Doncaster Mile in Sydney and should he perform again at Randwick he will head as a five year old to tackle the Group 1 W.S Cox Plate.
Should I’m Thunderstruck complete his first hurdle of defeating Zaaki in the All Star Mile this weekend at Flemington it would convince Price and Kent Jr that he is capable of winning a Cox Plate come the spring.
“He’s got to prove that he’s going to be a good weight-for-age horse against good horses,” Price said.
“I think he’s thereabouts but he’s still got to prove that. There’s no doubt about that.”
In his two WFA starts to date I’m Thunderstruck has finished fifth on both occasions but Price believes his stable star would relish the extra distance of the mile and the big track at Flemington.
“He’s definitely looking for a mile now to use his brilliant turn of foot,” Price said.
“He’s got the stamina and he likes being trained for the mile. The tempo suits him.
“A mile is much better for him than 1400m.”
TAB currently have I’m Thunderstruck as equal $6 second favourite for the worlds richest mile race.