Having originally considered taking I’m Thunderstruck back in trip after his Cox Plate placing, I’m Thunderstruck will attempt to register a first against Anamoe at Flemington.
The pair has met on two occasions with Anamoe holding 2-0 lead, but trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are hoping to turn that around in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Both times they have met, I’m Thunderstruck has been the hunter and Price said that was likely to be the case again on Saturday.
“Once again, Anamoe is drawn to be one-out, one-back and we’ve drawn to be out the back,” Price said.
“So, what do we do there?
“I think we balance up and chase hard as usual. There’s not much more we can do about it.
“He’s in fine form and it will be a good race.”
Price and Kent Jnr had considered taking I’m Thunderstruck back to the 1600m of the Group 1 Champions Mile, also run on Saturday, after his second-place finish behind Anamoe in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last month.
But with five runs for the campaign already under the belt and with three tough runs beyond 1600m, the trainers had a change of heart.
“I wasn’t sure if I could get him fresh enough for the mile,” Price said.
“I think he’s had a good solid prep having had a run every two weeks.
“He had run in the 1800 (metres), the 2000, another 2000, so I just wasn’t sure that we would be able to freshen him right up.
“He’s done his normal work. He’s done a lot of canter work. Nothing special but he’s galloped well, strong, he hasn’t changed at all.
“The biggest thing will be how the race is run and how far we are off Anamoe at any one point.”
Price believes I’m Thunderstruck has not trained-off after his tough campaign as all the outward signs have been positive to say he can run well again.
“But sometimes you can’t tell until you put the colours on,” Price said.
“We’re happy to roll the dice and have a go.”
