Mark Zahra had to call on the toughness of the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained I’m Thunderstruck to claim the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
The Group 1 race over 1600m did not go to plan for Zahra who was forced to race two back on the fence from an inside draw in the seven-horse field.
Zahra had angled I’m Thunderstruck away from the fence on the turn, but the surrounding runners were not taking him into the race, so in a swift move he elected to go back to the rail.
It proved the right move as Zahra was able to land the $2.60 favourite a nose winner from Alligator Blood ($5) with Mo’unga ($10) three lengths away third.
“He hasn’t got a lot of speed and he’s a horse you generally ride a bit further back,” Zahra said.
“D Lane (Western Empire) had me very tight where it was going to be messy and if I kept driving up, I would have had to check, so I thought I’ve just got to take my medicine.
“It was probably the last place I wanted to be, but the good thing was when I went back to the fence, for a horse that lays in, he was able to use the fence.
“Alligator Blood, it did kick strong, and not many horses would have run him down.”
Zahra said the 2040m of the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22 was shaping nicely for I’m Thunderstruck.
Price said the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on September 25 was next on the agenda for I’m Thunderstruck with the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 8 the final race to wind out the gelding’s preparation for the Cox Plate.
While elated with the victory, Price was hoping for a softer race with I’m Thunderstruck while noting how difficult Alligator Blood is to get past.
“I could have done with a run where you were easing into it rather than having to throw everything at the horse at once,” Price said.
“I thought it was a messy set of events halfway through the race and credit to the horse, he was able to pull out the big guns.
“I’ve seen Alligator Blood win some huge races, so I’ve got total respect for him and for us to be able to run that horse down I just thought it’s a good indicator of things to come.”