Golden Eagle: Trainer Mick Prince rapt in I’m Thunderstruck and the size of the winner’s cheque

Victoria take note after trainer Mick Price made absolutely clear it was prizemoney which saw I’m Thunderstruck take Sydney by storm with a thrilling win the $7.5m Golden Eagle.

Hugh Bowman and I'm Thunderstruck (white blinkers) surge late to claim the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Getty Images

The third running of Sydney’s second richest race showed it takes a Group 1 horse to win it.

I’m Thunderstruck needed to be an outstanding racehorse to win the $7.5 million XXXX Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Garden.

He was a Group 1 winner going into the Golden Eagle — just like the race’s previous winners Colette (2020) and Kolding (2019).

And just like The Everest, the Golden Eagle is proving Group 1 in everything but name only.

Kolding trained on to win the Group 1 George Main Stakes and All Aged Stakes the following year, Colette won another major in the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Hugh Bowman puts his hands on his head after the performance of I'm Thunderstruck. Picture: Getty Images

I’m Thunderstruck, barring injury or some unforeseen circumstance, is almost certain to continue the Golden Eagle tradition and win again at racing’s highest level.

Mick Price, who co-trains with Michael Kent Junior, watched admiringly from Flemington as I’m Thunderstuck followed his Toorak Handicap win with a barnstorming win in the Golden Eagle.

“I’m Thunderstruck always has to fight doesn’t he?” Price said.

“He would have won by further and cleaner and easier if he had have had a nice run in the race.

“But he’s always had to fight his way out and then finish off. It’s like the Toorak, the horse was there and the jockey was there for him. He was very brave.” he said.

Price said the decision to target the Golden Eagle and not the Cantala Stakes on Derby Day came down to the Rosehill race’s huge prizemoney: “You’ve just got to chase these races.”

Connections of I'm Thunderstruck celebrate with the trophy after winning the second richest race in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

The Golden Eagle was another fantastic contest with I’m Thunderstruck ($3.50 favourite) unleashing a powerful surge down the centre of the track under Hall of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman to win by a with Vangelic ($31) a length and a half away third.

“Just amazing,’’ Bowman said. “I’ve been riding a long time and I’ve ridden some amazing horses as we all know and the feeling that I got today is what it’s all about.

“I balanced up, I was full of running and left Brock’s back (Brock Ryan/Count De Rupee) at the top of the straight because I was going so well, I didn’t want any excuses being held in.

“While I was making my way clear, Brock’s skipped away and he put about four-and-a-half lengths on us I think, but I didn’t panic. I balanced him up and when I went for him he found, but at about the 200m he swapped legs and I just had to sit there while he got himself organised.

“Honestly, I was a passenger. He just took me to the line and I just made a point of not getting in his way and he delivered in spades.”

Count De Rupee’s narrow loss cost connections $2.6 million but left apprentice Brock Ryan devastated.

“I feel like I’m gonna cry because I just got beat,’’ Ryan said.

“Super effort, I thought I was the winner from the moment we straightened but we just got run down late.”

Count De Rupee’s trainers Robert and Luke Price were far from downcast after the race.

“Brock Ryan rode him a treat,’’ Robert Price said.

“I thought we were home when he dashed clear, I’ve nearly lost my voice from cheering – but I think the winner is a very, very good horse.

“I think our horse is an outstanding horse, too. He has run great.’’

Luke Price was wondering what might have been if Count De Rupee was chasing and not trying to hold on.

Bowman and I'm Thunderstruck (white blinkers) charge over the top to take honours.

“Count De Rupee switches off when he gets to the front,’’ Luke Price said.

“In his gallop on Tuesday he was two lengths in front and switched off. I gave him a quicken and he dropped gears and took off again.’’

If Count De Rupee comes through the Golden Eagle in good order, the father-and-son training combination hope to set the gelding for the home track’s biggest race, the $1 million The Gong (1500m) at Kembla Grange on November 20.

“At this stage, we will go to The Gong,’’ Robert Price said.

“It will be interesting to see what weight he gets after that run.’’

Vangelic was her typical courageous self, working her way into the minor placing and picking up $750,000 for her effort.

Brisbane trainer Desleigh Forster thought Apache Chase looked the winner when he went to the front on the home turn.

“I thought we were a chance,’’ Forster said of Apache Chase who held on to run a close fourth.

“He was very genuine but that was a super race. The form out of that race is of a very high standard.’’

Originally published as Golden Eagle: Trainer Mick Prince rapt in I’m Thunderstruck and the size of the winner’s cheque