Peter Moody-trained Thermal Current returned to his best form to record a professional victory in the 2015 McKay Stakes at Morphettville this afternoon.
Thermal Current returned to his best form to win the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Jenny Barnes
Jockey Dwayne Dunn rode Thermal Current with plenty of confidence in the McKay Stakes and he was happy to let the four-year-old settle in third place behind Minaj and Streetcar Isabelle in the early stages of the race.
Minaj made sure that the McKay Stakes was run at a good tempo, but Thermal Current was able to peel off the two leaders at the 300 metre mark and he was far too strong for his competition in the final stages of the race.
Thermal Current has recorded just two race wins during his racing career to date, taking out a maiden at Geelong in August of 2013 and the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day in 2013, but he has been competitive at the highest level of racing and he was not beaten by ar in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
The Exceed And Excel gelding returned to racing with a second place finish behind Politeness in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m), but trainer Peter Moody said before the race that he wanted to see the four-year-old step-up in the McKay Stakes.
Moody does not have any set plans for Thermal Current, but he could remain in Adelaide for the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville or head to Brisbane for races like the Group 2 QTC Cup (1350m) at Doomben on May 30.
Mike Moroney-trained Yesterday’s Song was well-backed in the lead-up to the McKay Stakes following his first-up victory at Geelong on April 8 and he was given an ideal run on the rails by jockey Damien Oliver, but he was no match for Thermal Current in the final stages of the race and he could finish no better than second.
Team Freedman-trained Minaj battled on bravely in the final stages to finish third to continue her strong run of form since she returned to racing after she finished fourth behind Platelet and Gregers in the Jeep 55 Second Challenge Heat at Moonee Valley on March 27 and finished second behind Miss Promiscuity at Caulfield on April 18.
Thermal Current joins the likes of Essay Raider, General Truce, Catapulted, Here De Angles and Bomber Bill as impressive recent winners of the McKay Stakes.
