Mick Price has I’m Thunderstruck primed for Cox Plate

Hundreds of tricky decisions have provided I’m Thunderstruck with a chance for a huge reward in Saturday’s $5m Cox Plate.

I'm Thunderstruck will chase a third Group 1 win in Saturday’s $5m Cox Plate at The Valley. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Many champions have said professional sport is mostly played above the shoulders.

Training racehorses is no different.

Although the jockeys and horses are the athletes, trainers engage their minds daily searching for ways to unlock their horses’ full potential.

Even planning trackwork training sessions sometimes involve trainers having an internal debate.

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Mick Price had one such episode when deciding whether to take Cox Plate chance I’m Thunderstruck to Tuesday’s Breakfast With The Best session at The Valley.

A lot more than Price’s breakfast venue was at stake with his choice, the wrong choice would have ended I’m Thunderstruck’s chances of gaining a major slice of the $5m Cox Plate prizemoney.

I’m Thunderstruck’s final gallop was five days out from the Cox Plate but the minuscule margin for error in racing’s top echelon would have made a wrong choice a costly one.

Price kept I’m Thunderstruck away from the busy trackwork session to work at Cranbourne.

“I did have about three discussions with myself about it instead of sleeping,” Price said.

“They’re just decisions you make when you’re with the horses all the time.

“You drive yourself mad every day of the week when you train racehorses, when you’re making decisions.”

Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr took Cox Plate runner I’m Thunderstruck to Carrum Beach to wade in the salt water on Wednesday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri-Getty Images

Price’s decisions, in tandem with training partner Michael Kent Jr, took I’m Thunderstruck to victory in last year’s $7.5m Golden Eagle in Sydney and two Group 1 wins over 1600m.

But I’m Thunderstruck needs to find a little something extra if he’s to beat Cox Plate favourite Anamoe on Saturday.

Anamoe narrowly defeated I’m Thunderstruck when the pair met in the Might And Power Stakes but TAB has him as a $15 chance to reverse that result in the Cox Plate.

Price said I’m Thunderstruck’s preparation for the weight-for-age championship would not be an excuse if the gelding falls short.

“He’s had a run every two weeks and each run has been fully to the line for him so he’s had a really good prep and has worked perfectly,” Price said.

Price went close to winning the 2006 Cox Plate when former stable star Pompeii Ruler was beaten a head in Fields Of Omagh’s second triumph in the race.

Price has given I’m Thunderstruck an identical preparation for the Cox Plate with 1400m, 1600m, 1800m, and 2000m to prepare him for the tough assignment.

“I think he’s had a really good prep and everything has gone well so we can do no more,” Price said.

Jockey Mark Zahra will ride I’m Thunderstruck in the Cox Plate.

Originally published as Mick Price has I’m Thunderstruck primed for Cox Plate