3 minute read
Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 Toorak Handicap won by I'm Thunderstruck at Caulfield on Saturday.
Race Result:
1st: I'm Thunderstruck (Jye McNeil/Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr) - $3.20F
2nd: Tofane (Craig Williams/Mike Moroney) - $11
3rd: Superstorm (Damien Oliver/Danny O'Brien) - $9.50
Winning Time: 1:34.87 Last 600m: N/A
Margins: ¾L x ¾L
Winning Trainer: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr (Michael Kent Jr speaking)
He delivered today: "That was so good. The entire team have done a marvellous job. Everybody that looks after him.
"It was a tough race to watch. He didn't get a moment's rest.
"He didn't get a chance to relax and travel. They were playing jockeys. They were trying to keep the favourite in, and for him to keep fighting, for a young inexperienced horse, it was a massive effort."
Impressions first time horse walked into the stable: "He was a big flashy kind of horse and I never thought it would come this soon with him. It's very exciting. Hopefully he pulls up well. We blended prep two and prep three together. Now we've got three weeks until the Golden Eagle.
OTI Racing: "Terry, Shane and Gus and all the team at OTI. Terry and Mick go back a long way as do Terry and I. I looked after one of William Haggas' at Werribee and it won on Stakes Day (Fastnet Tempest). A thrill for everyone involved."
Winning Jockey: Jye McNeil
Exciting: "I'm pumped. He really had to earn it today. A couple of different riders were out there to target him, which I suppose they're entitled to at some stage.
"I thought it was a really brave effort the way he handled himself, even at the top of the straight we had to get a little bit physical to find clear space and then Tofane challenged late.
"He was super tough."
Did he (I'm Thunderstruck) enjoy the battle: "I guess to some extent it didn't really weaken him out of it. He was really tough, but I generally like to be a bit smoother than that."
Family watching on: "I can't wait for the day they get to come back to the races, but I'm sure they'll be having a good day and cheering from home."
Beaten jockeys:
Craig Williams - Tofane: "She ran super. She was held up and with that big weight, first time this preparation she had to have acceleration and it was a great performance in a losing effort."
Damien Oliver - Superstorm: "Had a nice run. When I peeled off at the top of the straight I thought that I was a winning chance but just found a couple better. Good effort."
Daniel Moor - Sierra Sue: "Hopefully she's ok. She did feel the firm track however I would assume that there's more of an issue there."
Damian Lane - Elephant: "Honest run. I think a high pressure race caught him undone late."
Brett Prebble - Lunar Fox: "A fraction disappointing. I thought what I had underneath me at the stop of the straight, I didn't get it. I don't know why."
Fred Kersley - Dice Roll: "Track extremely firm. Too firm. Never comfortable."
Craig Newitt - Quantum Mechanic: "She ran really well. She was a little bit cantankerous before the start. Stepped a bit slow but had a good run in the race and hit the line really hard."
Matt Cartwright - Irish Flame: "Disappointing. Track was too firm and I think he's looking for distance and a drop back in grade."
Dean Yendall - So You Assume: "She'll improve on that and look to see her go better against the mares."
Linda Meech - Second Slip: "Really hard to lead and win today."
Damien Thornton - Embolism: "He ran well and is in for a good prep."