Thunder Moon Warms Up for Saudi Target

It's not too often we see a trio of rivals rated 105 or higher, including a group 1 and group 3 winner, do battle in a conditions contest at Dundalk Racecourse on a Friday night in January but that is exactly what we have here for Jan. 21.

Throughout his 2-year-old campaign it looked as though the world was Thunder Moon 's oyster, progressing from a barrier trial win at Dundalk to an impressive Curragh maiden win and group 1 strike in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1).

World champion St Mark's Basilica  was third on the latter occasion before reversing the form with the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1), while top-level scorers Lucky Vega , Laws of Indices , and Mac Swiney  featured among Thunder Moon's Curragh victims.

With the exception of an excellent second to Laws of Indices in the Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat (G1) in July, it was a disappointing 3-year-old season for the Zoffany  colt, which began when failing to beat a rival in the Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1) field when sent off at 11-2.

This assignment represents a major drop in class for the 113-rated performer, who has been absent since a mid-field finish in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1) in October.

Thunder Moon, who will be making his first start on an all-weather surface, is five pounds better off with his nearest-rated rival Pretreville , trained by Ado McGuinness. A group 3 winner for Pascal Bary in 2020 now rated 108, the 7-year-old failed to fire in his first two starts for these connections last term, having been picked up for 95,000 guineas (US$137,226) in August.

O'Brien also calls on the race-fit San Andreas , who stayed on well for third after missing the break on his comeback five weeks ago.

"They're two nice horses. San Andreas is very good over this course and distance and I think he'll run a big race. Thunder Moon comes back early with an eye on the possibility of going to Saudi Arabia. We're looking forward to getting him out," said O'Brien.

He isn't particularly well treated at the weights, giving three pounds to Thunder Moon and Pretreville despite being rated 105, but that recent run and form figures of 73211123 at this track make him a legitimate contender.

James McAuley has been enjoying a fine winter at Ireland's only all-weather venue and identified this five-runner affair as a good opportunity to pick up €1,160 in prize money with his two representatives Meishar and Sister Lola.

Both have the advantage of race fitness but can't be fancied on all known form.

Despite the proven class of Thunder Moon and Pretreville, both seemingly have one eye on international targets and San Andreas could be the one to take advantage at a track he loves.