I’m Thunderstruck set to strike in Golden Eagle

[Wandering Eyes]

He’s secured Group One spoils in Victoria and now New Zealand-bred gelding I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) has travelled north to plunder the riches on offer in Sydney on Saturday.

The son of Shocking will contest the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill after winning the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month.

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are looking forward to the weekend with their charge where he will jump from barrier 10 in the 18-horse field.

“He has had a really good prep and we have got no excuses,” Price told SENTrack.

“I was hoping for between six and 12, so not jammed up on the fence and not too far out, so I think that (barrier 10) is ideal. It just gives Hugh (Bowman, jockey) a chance to duck in or duck out and follow the right horse.

“The biggest problem is 18 runners and what is going on when they straighten up. 18 runners around Rosehill makes you a bit nervous with horses shifting around.

“I like Hugh riding my horses and I am sure he will do a great job.”

Price is happy with I’m Thunderstruck heading into Saturday, with the Golden Eagle set to be his final run this spring.

“He is quite a tough, robust, New Zealand-type of horse. He is medium-sized and has a good constitution. I can’t fault him, he seems fine,” Price said.

“I’m Thunderstruck will go to the paddock after this.”

I’m Thunderstruck was bred by Cambridge couple Tony Forlong and Jennifer Jones.

Back in Melbourne, Price is looking forward to racing at Flemington on Saturday where he will line-up Kiwi-breds Gunstock (NZ) (Tavistock) and Jungle Magnate (NZ) (Tarzino) in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m).

Gunstock heads into the weekend off the back of victory in the Gr.3 Neds Classic (2000m) while Jungle Magnate finished third in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday.

“Gunstock is good. Jye McNeil (jockey) came down this morning and he had his final gallop, and he was good,” Price said.

“Jungle Magnate is quite a tough horse. Just looking at Moonee Valley in the Vase the other day it looked like a long-sustained effort, and I thought it would take a bit out of him, especially with the seven-day back-up.

“But he is a bit like his old man (Tarzino) that horse, he is tough as. Sunday morning he was good and he has been good all week, so he will take his place.”

Jungle Magnate was purchased by Price out of Westbury Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $75,000, while Gunstock is a graduate of the same sale, having been purchased by Ohukia Lodge out of Cambridge Stud’s draft for $80,000.

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