Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr believe they have I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) humming ahead of the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The son of Shocking ran home well in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) first-up behind Snapdancer, pleasing his conditioners.
“He is going super,” Price told Racing.com.
“I thought his run was really good. (Mark) Zahra (jockey) said he probably got too far out of his ground trying to chase Snapdancer.
“I thought it was the run of the race to nearly mow down Snapdancer, who was always going to be hard to beat under those conditions.”
Price is looking forward to the weekend where he thinks a mile will be ideal for his five-year-old.
“He is in beautiful condition,” Price said.
“A mile is good for him, he is a good miler. I have got no negatives to put forward, he’s going great.”
I’m Thunderstruck was bred by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones.
Previously based in Kumeu, chartered accountant Forlong and accomplished rider Jones purchased I’m Thunderstruck’s dam Primadonna Girl (NZ) (Edenwold) for just $2400 through good friend Danny Rolston, former Bloodstock Sales Manager for New Zealand Bloodstock.
Initially trained in New Zealand by Daniel Miller, I’m Thunderstruck was purchased by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo for clients OTI Racing after his 1000m trial win at Te Aroha two years ago.
Price will also line-up fellow New Zealand-bred Cadazio (NZ) (Tarzino) in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m).
The Tarzino gelding will be fresh-up this weekend after winning on debut at Geelong in July and Price is expecting the trip to be a bit short for his charge given he is on a Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) path.
“Cadazio first-up, he is on a Derby prep,” Price said. “I would guess that he will get back and work home.
“He is going super.”
Cadazio, who carries the silks of OTI Racing, was purchased out of Westbury Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft for $120,000 by Cataldo and his trainers.