Improving three year old Thermal Current could join stablemates Flamberge and Brilliant Bisc and be a surprise runner in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trainer Peter Moody is considering starting Thermal Current in the G1 Oakleigh Plate. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Thermal Current had to be scratched from the Group 1 $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington last Saturday because of a blood disorder and trainer Peter Moody is keen to kick off his Autumn Carnival campaign this weekend.
The Exceed And Excel colt is also nominated for the Group 3 $135,000 Zedative Stakes (1200m) for the three year old colts and geldings but Moody is keen to take on the older sprinters with only 50kgs now that his blood has cleared.
“His blood was good yesterday so he had a gallop here (at Caulfield) this morning and his work was pleasing,” Moody told AAP yesterday.
“He’s a three-year-old sprinter and I think he’s improved rapidly off his spring campaign.”
Thermal Current had to be scratched from last year’s Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield after being placed at his two previous starts but went on in the Spring to win the Group 3 $150,000 Telstra Phonewords Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.
At his next start he was beaten less than three lengths when fifth to Zoustar in the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 2.
Moody is also talking up the chances of Flamberge who has been freshened up since winning the Group 3 $150,000 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on January 1.
The premiership winning trainer was delighted with a barrier trial second at Cranbourne on February 11 behind Group 1 winner Bel Sprinter and said that Flamberge will have every chance to win at Group 1 level this Saturday.
“He is flying,” Moody said.
“He trialled superbly beside Bel Sprinter the other day.”
“He’ll never get a better chance in a big race.”
Vlad Duric is likely to keep the ride on Flamberge after steering him to a two and a quarter lengths win in the Standish Handicap and was also aboard in the Cranbourne trial.
Brilliant Bisc showed pace before weakening to finish seventh to Snitzerland in the Black Caviar Lightning last Saturday and could back this week in the Oakleigh Plate.
