The very smart, Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) trained, I’m Thunderstruck will race first up in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday … with a carefully plotted path beyond that designed to take him to the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (over 1400m), the A$5 million All-Star Mile (over 1600m) all the way through to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (over 2000m) … in a meticulously measured build-up in race distance.
I’m Thunderstruck comes into the race with a high-powered profile.
A winner at Group 1 level in both the Toorak and the Makybe Diva, I’m Thunderstruck also has a Golden Eagle win behind his name and his runner-up finishes in all of the All-Star Mile (behind Zaaki), the Doncaster (behind Mr Brightside), the Memsie (behind Snapdancer) and in the Caulfield Stakes and the Cox Plate (both behind Anamoe) mark the son of Shocking as being a quality performer of the highest order.
I’m Thunderstruck, who will ridden by Jamie Kah, will face nine opponents on Saturday, including the Doncaster winner Mr Brightside.
While Mr Brightside did lower I’m Thunderstruck’s colours in the Doncaster, I’m Thunderstruck then finished in front of Mr Brightside in both the Caulfield Stakes and the Cox Plate.
The three-year-old, Jacquinot, the stable companion to I’m Thunderstruck, currently tops the betting boards for the CF Orr.
The Group 1 Golden Rose winner and a last start Group 3 winner, will have a favourable 3.5kg pull at the weights with I’m Thunderstruck, a factor which has helped see him marked up as favourite at $3.50 with I’m Thunderstruck the second favourite at $4.20.
Jacquinot will be ridden by Damian Lane.
