Group One winner I’m Thunderstruck will follow a near identical autumn preparation as he did last year when he kicks off in the Gr.1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
The son of Shocking finished fifth in the race last year and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are confident of bettering that result despite their charge drawing barrier nine in the 10-horse field.
“He is going very well and has a change in rider,” Price told RacingHQ.
“Zahra is on the leader, Gentleman Roy, and I’m Thunderstuck has drawn nine of 10, drawn poorly again (and will be ridden by Jamie Kah).
“I don’t see any other option than I’m Thunderstruck out the back and motor home.
“It is going to be a good run, but he has got to pick up a good horse, either Tuvalu or Gentleman Roy. It is not easy.”
Following his first-up run, I’m Thunderstruck will head to the Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) before tackling the A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) and round out his autumn campaign in Sydney in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Earlier on the card, Price will line-up fellow Kiwi-bred Artzino in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m).
The son of Tarzino impressed in his three starts last spring, winning at Sandown over 1500m after runner-up on debut, and culminated his preparation with a fourth placing in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m).
Classic targets beckon the Karaka graduate, with Price believing Saturday’s distance is well short of his best.
“Artzino will run well but he wants further,” he said. “Hopefully he is a Derby horse, being by Tarzino.”
