Thronum getting closer to a Golden Rose Stakes start

Unbeaten colt Thronum can edge closer to earning a start in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10 if he completes a hat trick of wins at Canterbury on Saturday.

Tommy Berry, above, has a high opinion of the Gai Waterhouse trained Thronum. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Tommy Berry, above, has a high opinion of the Gai Waterhouse trained Thronum. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Thronum broke his maiden status with a debut win over 1000m at Kembla Grange on June 25 followed by a win in a 1200m two year old handicap at Randwick on July 9 on a heavy track.

Jockey Tommy Berry rode the Snitzel colt to a three lengths victory at Randwick and is confident that he still has plenty of improvement left in him.

“He’s a fantastic type, carries himself really well and I’m convinced he has improvement to come,” Berry told The Daily Telegraph.

“Whether he’s up to winning a Golden Rose, I’m not sure. But the race on Saturday looks to have some handy horses engaged and if he can beat them again like he did the other day, he’d certainly be on the right track.”

The prospect of another rain affected track again on Saturday won’t be a problem for Thronum who ploughed through the heavy conditions at Randwick.

Canterbury is currently rated a heavy 9 and with more rain today in the Sydney area before the weather eases heading into the weekend, the track is still going to be rain affected.

“It was a convincing win last start on a heavy track and it’s unlikely Canterbury will be that wet,” Berry said.

“But I reckon he’ll appreciate the drier surface. He gave me a nice feel the other day, like a horse that had more to come.”

Waterhouse is a great conditioner of juveniles and she has combined with Berry to win numerous two year old races including the 2013 and 2015 Group 1 $3.5m Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill with Overreach and Vancouver.

“She’s a freak when it comes to two-year-olds,” Berry said.

“And with Thronum she has given the horse the time he has needed and the rewards are there. He’s unbeaten in two starts and will be hard to beat again this week.”

Thronum is included in the first acceptances for the Golden Rose Stakes and is one of sixteen two year olds nominated for the 1200m two year old Handicap at Canterbury on Saturday.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.