Barrier no drawback for Thunderstruck in Makybe Diva Stakes

What to make of barrier one in a small weight-for-age field at Flemington.

It sounds a recipe for disaster when you have a short-priced favourite like the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained I’m Thunderstruck who is opposed to seven rivals in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

Barrier one did not help I’m Thunderstruck when he was a closing second to Zaaki in the All-Star Mile over Saturday’s course and distance in March, but Saturday’s contest is a different scenario.

In the All-Star Mile I’m Thunderstruck was buried back on the fence beyond midfield, but in Saturday’s contest he should be closer to the speed.

“The initial reaction was ‘oh barrier one’ but in looking into it a bit more it’s probably going to work out OK,” Kent Jnr said.

“I would expect Alligator Blood to be the leader and therefore we may be tagging him in the race, so in a small field, without a lot of speed, it is probably best to be drawn there than drawing out.

“It should enable him to be not too far away in the run and we know he is very brave.

“I think Flemington is a big tick. He love’s Flemington, the mile suits and as long as he brings his first-up run, he should go very well.”

According to Kent Jnr, I’m Thunderstruck has trained on well from his first-up second placing behind Snapdancer in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 27.

Kent Jnr said the now five-year-old was more relaxed in his work and the co-trainer could not have wished for a better two weeks between runs.

“Mark Zahra was in to ride him on Tuesday,” Kent Jnr said.

“He’s relaxing better than ever which is a good thing as he was always hard up on the bridle as a younger horse, but he’s relaxing better.

“His gallop was super. He idled up and if let go could have won it easily.”

Barrier one may have some concerned as I’m Thunderstruck has been easy in TAB betting since the final field was declared on Wednesday, drifting from $2.20 to $2.40.

Alligator Blood has been the firmer, shortening from $6 into $4.80 while there has also been support for Cascadian ($6 into $5.50) and Western Empire ($6.50 into $6).