The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. stable have grander plans in store for I’m Thunderstruck, but the reality is for the gelding to reach those heights, he needs to keep winning.
A day before he officially turns four, I’m Thunderstruck will face off against 10 rival three-year-olds in the Dominant Cleaning Solutions Handicap (1514m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Price and Kent Jr need to see I’m Thunderstruck rating rise to enable him to line-up in better quality spring races, with the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill in October the ultimate aim.
I’m Thunderstruck was devastating under Jamie Kah, who rides again on Saturday, winning at Flemington on July 17, but this time around rises 5kg on a tighter track.
The stable took I’m Thunderstruck to The Valley on Tuesday.
“It’s one of those track we love to give our horses a look at,” Kent Jr said.
“It’s a tight circuit and they’re running at that big wall into the home straight.
“He’s gorgeous horse, so inquisitive and Jamie said because they gallop on the outside section and as he went past the clocktower and the winner’s stall, he had a good look at that and stepped in slightly, otherwise he galloped up beautiful.”
Hopefully with a win sealed and a boost to his rating, Price and Kent Jr can give I’m Thunderstruck some R & R before re-emerging later in the spring.
“The Golden Eagle is the obvious one to put a circle around and we’ll loosely aim that way, but we want to get Saturday out of the way first,” Kent Jr said.
“If all goes to plan, we would likely construct a program where he would have two or three weeks at a property where he can spend the day in the paddock, be boxed at night and then slowly be introduced to a water-walker and some light work.
“He’s a good, strong specimen, but the break would be more about giving him a mental freshen-up and recharging the batteries.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au