Thunder rolls through at Flemington

I’m Thunderstruck has decimated the field in the K.A Morrison Handicap at Flemington, scoring a four-length victory over his closest rivals.

The lightly raced three-year-old gelding, co-trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr settled rearward throughout the 1400m journey before letting loose with a devastating turn of foot down the straight, passing his competitors as if they were nailed to the floor.

Kent (Jnr) was pleased with the horse’s performance, labelling today’s run as ‘D’ Day.

“Big track, had every chance and I thought he quickened up really excitingly.” Kent Jnr said.

When quizzed on prospects for the horse, Kent Jnr was quick to dismiss rushing into any decisions but does believe the mile is the ideal distance for the talented horse at this stage of his career.

“Mark Zahra was quoted as saying he thinks he gained himself a Group horse, so fingers crossed he keeps progressing.” Kent Jnr said.

“Whether he gets further in time I’m not sure.”

While the tempo of the race suited I’m Thunderstruck, Kent Jnr praised the horse management skills of gun hoop Jamie Kah, as in previous outings the gelding has had the tendency to lay-in when under pressure.

“You can see he’s always wanted to lay in, we brought him off a trial in New Zealand and he was the same there and he can do it (lay in) but I suppose he was quickening up so quickly he was entitled to do a bit wrong, so I suppose it’s going to be good when he gets things right.” Kent Jnr said.

“He can still be a bit fierce, he was a bit keen second up. Today he relaxed beautifully, obviously Jamie with good hands.”

While it is unclear whether the horse will go around again this preparation, connections are expecting the gelding to compete at stakes level through the spring.

I’m Thunderstruck was the second leg of an early race-to-race double for leading Victorian jockey Jamie Kah, after saluting in the first race of the day aboard Gonnadancealot.