Thundering Towards the G1 NZ Derby
14 December 2015
Highly regarded three-year-old Thunder Down Under (Street Sense) recorded his maiden victory with an impressive last to first victory in the $50,000 Listed BMW 3YO Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
 |
Thunder Down Under scoring in the Listed BMW 3YO Salver. |
Having now raced seven times, this was Thunder Down Under’s first win. Five of his starts have been black type races representing trainer Stephen Ralph's high opinion of the Street Sense colt.
“It was nice to get a run behind him and we’ll look through the programme and decide where to head next,” commented Ralph. “The Karaka 3YO Mile is an option as well as the normal route of the Waikato and Avondale Guineas before the New Zealand Derby.”
Starting from barrier 11, rider Leith Innes allowed him to settle at the rear of the field as pacemakers Battle Plan (NZ) (Battle Paint) and Brigadier (NZ) (Commands) made it a muddling run race.
Thunder Down Under was still at the back of the field as they approached the home turn. Innes found a passage down the middle of the track and burst into the lead with less than 200m to go, racing to a half-a-length victory with Splendido (NZ) (O’Reilly) in second and Zacada (NZ) (Zabeel) a long head away in third.
“He showed us a lot as a two-year-old, and we planned to run him in the Karaka Million but unfortunately he injured himself and we gave him 5 months off,” said Ralph. “He is a little green, but lovely natured.”
Thunder Down Under now takes his tally to seven starts, with his first win and two minor placings earning $42,400 in stakes for Ralph who shares in the ownership with Mrs C & S Hope & Ms M U Sutton.
Ralph purchased Thunder Down Under for $12,000 at the 2014 Karaka Select Sale from Curraghmore.
Bred by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, Thunder Down Under is out of River Dreaming (Galileo) who is the dam of four horses to race that have all been winners. The son of Street Sense’s third dam is five-time Group 1 winner All Along (Targowice).