I’m ThunderstruckĀ appears spot on for his return to racing following a Geelong trial victory.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent-Jnr-trained galloper won the opening heat of Tuesday’s Geelong trialsĀ over 1000m under Jamie Kah.
“You could argue that is the best he’s ever trialled,” Kent Jnr told RSN.
“We left all the gear off today. We wanted to experiment with him to see if he would jump better without the gear and not lay-in a touch.
“HeĀ definitely jumpedĀ well, he sat fifth in the trial, travelled beautifully and let down very strongly.
“Jamie said he wanted to lay-in half-a-metre. Her advice wasĀ toĀ leave the gear, don’t change it, don’t fix what’s not broken, so we’ll leave hisĀ one-eyed blinker on.”
I’m Thunderstruck is set to have his autumn return in the Group 1 C F Orr StakesĀ (1400m) at Sandown on February 11.
He will clash with stablemate JacquinotĀ in that contest after the three-year-old returned to win the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on January 26.
Kent Jnr said it was pleasing to see I’m Thunderstruck jump cleanly from the barriers on Tuesday and settleĀ closerĀ in the run.
He is hoping the same will occur on race day.
“It was nice to see him jump well and travel closer to the speed,” Kent Jnr said.
“I think if we have that and some kinder barrier draws, he’ll win more Group 1s.”
Kent Jnr said the Geelong trials came at an opportune time to give the gelding a trip away from his Cranbourne base.
The trip was a ‘mini’ race day experience for theĀ seven-timeĀ winner from 20 starts.
“You can fall into the trap of those beautiful trials every Monday morning, so to get away to Geelong, have a mini race day outing,Ā it was perfect for him,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’ll have a gallop on Saturday morning, go to Sandown for a course proper gallop next Tuesday morning, so, I think he’ll beĀ spot on.”
