King Of Thunder can rule in Derby
BRISBANE A wet track may have thwarted the finishing power of King Of Thunder in his last start, but his connections are hoping a drier surface will enable the horse to show his true colours in the A$1 million (S$834,000) Group 1 Queensland Derby (2,400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31.
Trained by John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, King Of Thunder - a Tivaci three-year-old gelding - finished third to the Chris Waller-trained Imperialist in heavy conditions at his final lead-up run in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2,000m) at Doomben on May 17.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, the two-time winner came off his midfield position and began to knuckle down to the task at the 250m.
He chased Imperialist, who had shot to the lead under Tommy Berry, but could manage to finish only within less than two lengths off the winner.
Deep Focus (Michael Rodd) ended a touch better than him on the outside to beat him to second place by ¼ length.
While co-trainer Charlton, son of the successful British trainer Roger Charlton, was contented with King Of Thunder's run, he thought the bay galloper was not at his best on the rain-affected surface.
"It looked like he was coming to make his challenge and just worked away to the line," he said.
"He shows a few more gears than that normally. The comment from the rider (Zahra) was he just got slightly dulled given the conditions.
"We were delighted with him the other day. He didn't love that ground and he's probably looking for a bit more of a test, which he will get on Saturday."
Fine weather is forecast in Brisbane this week and King Of Thunder will arrive at Eagle Farm well-seasoned, as the classic race at the Brisbane Winter Carnival will be the third Derby he has contested.
King Of Thunder finished seventh to Goldrush Guru in the Group 1 Victorian Derby (2,500m) at Flemington on Nov 2, 2024.
He then ran fifth behind Aeliana in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2,400m) during the Autumn Carnival at Randwick on April 5.
King Of Thunder's connections are hoping the Queensland Derby will be a case of "third-time lucky" for their ward.
"He has been running really well in all these Derby races and has a likeable profile going into it," said Charlton.
King Of Thunder remains a 5-1 Derby favourite, while stablemate Hurstville Zagreb has drifted from odds of 10-1 to 14-1 after the Divine Prophet three-year-old was beaten into third behind Let's Fly in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1,800m) at Randwick on May 24.
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Let's Fly is being considered for a Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2,200m) tilt.
Co-trainer Will has confirmed they will see how the Flying Artie filly comes through the race, before deciding whether to pay the late entry fee for the three-time winner to run.
The Queensland Oaks will be held at Eagle Farm on June 7. SKY RACING WORLD
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