Thunder on target for All-Star Mile despite two strikes

I'm Thunderstruck's trainers will hold the line with the exciting galloper despite his latest defeat in Saturday's Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Sandown.

Many punters would have dropped off I'm Thunderstruck after his third to Alligator Blood in the Futurity Stakes when supported from $3.10 to $2.90 in betting.

I'm Thunderstruck also missed a place as a $3.10 chance when resuming in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes earlier this month.

But co-trainer Michael Kent Jr said there would be no change to I'm Thunderstruck's plan.

"Nothing changes, we're still on course," Kent Jr, who trains I'm Thunderstruck in partnership with Mick Price, said.

"He's three weeks into the All-Star Mile then off to Sydney."

Some analysts lost patience with I'm Thunderstruck after the Futurity Stakes but Kent Jr made a compelling argument when defending the gelding's performances.

"He's never won at weight-for-age level over 1400m before let alone second-up in a small tactical field," Kent Jr said.

"His best go is pace on over a mile or 2000m like he had in the Cox Plate.

"The sit-sprint nature of these races doesn't suit him. He likes to wind up."

I'm Thunderstruck will have his next start in the $5m All-Star Mile at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.

I'm Thunderstruck's full 1400m weight-for-age form shows the gelding performed at a higher level in his first two runs of 2023 than he did last year.

The five-year-old finished fifth in both the C.F. Orr and Futurity Stakes in 2022 before running second to multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki in the All-Star Mile at Flemington.

I'm Thunderstruck finished a half length from Jacquinot in the C.F. Orr Stakes before Alligator Blood defeated him by 1-¾ lengths last Saturday.

I'm Thunderstruck defeated Alligator Blood when the pair clashed over 1600m in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington in the spring and also beat the Tulloch Lodge galloper home when he ran second to Anamoe in the Cox Plate.

Kent Jr said getting back to The Valley and rising to 1600m would help I'm Thunderstruck make up the small amount of ground required to win the All-Star Mile on March 18.

"It's a great bunch of old warriors and they all get their turn," Kent Jr said.

"It's fascinating to watch.

"Three weeks into a mile with a full field, the pace on, he'll be right in it."