Peter Moody has both Thermal Current and Flamberge in the 2015 The Goodwood field and the leading trainer is happy with both sprinters heading into the Group 1 event at Morphettville this afternoon.
Thermal Current stamped himself as a The Goodwood contender with a win in the McKay Stakes. Photo by: Jenny Barnes
Flamberge started his autumn campaign with a close second behind Chautauqua in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 14 and he produced his usual honest effort in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on March 7 before he failed to fire in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
The Exceed And Excel gelding has not been seen at the races since his The Galaxy flop, but the five-year-old has a good first-up record and Moody believes that The Goodwood may be the best chance that Flamberge ever has to win a Group 1 event.
“He’s got a super fresh record,” Moody told AAP.
“He’s drawn off the track but that might be like having barrier one getting to that stage of the day in Adelaide.
“Both have had their chances in Group Ones before and they’re not going to get a better chance than in this type of race.”
Thermal Current had developed a reputation as a non-winner in the past 12 months, but he was able to stamp himself as a genuine The Goodwood contender when he recorded an impressive victory in the Group 3 McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on May 2.
Thermal Current will be returning to Group 1 level for the first time since he finished a credible fifth behind Zoustar in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and he also missed the placings when seventh in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) in the same year, but Moody believes that the four-year-old is taking career best form into The Goodwood.
“He’s had a couple of bites at the cherry at this sort of level before but has been a little below them, but he’s fit and well, in form, drawn a good marble and has a good jock,” Moody said.
Punters rate Thermal Current the best of Moody’s chances in The Goodwood, but he has drifted from $15 out to $26 with Ladbrokes, while Flamberge has also been on the drift from $21 out to $31.
Moody is chasing his second win in The Goodwood after he took out the 2012 edition of the race with equine superstar Black Caviar.
