Sparks To Fly At Randwick

The decision by leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody to scratch Thermal Current from Flemington today and concentrate on Randwick should pay dividends.

A one-time promising sprinter, Thermal Current was due to contest the much tougher Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington but will take on a benchmark 90 line up over the 1000m at Randwick instead.

There is no doubt Thermal Current has been a hard horse for punters to follow – it has now been 441 days and eight starts since his last victory which was at Moonee Valley in group 3 company.

So it is a long way from there to the benchmark 90 field he finds himself opposed to today.

Despite his disappointing form, Thermal Current has continued to maintain a steady ratings profile which if he runs to again here, will surely make him the horse to beat.

Last start down the straight 1000m at Flemington, Thermal Current had little luck getting held up early and giving away too much start. It was similar story at his previous run at Moonee Valley where he got forced off the track most of the race being seriously disadvantaged, yet he still ran home strongly to just miss.

Thermal Current’s previous two starts since a spell were both in stakes class behind Reparations and dead-heaters Bel Sprinter and Miracles of Life.

Interestingly Thermal Current is fifth run back from a spell today – the only other occasion he raced in that state he was a winner.

Kerrin McEvoy who strikes at a healthy 21% with Moody has been enlisted to get the gelding back into the winners circle.

There is likely to be plenty of speed on up front in the 1000m dash with Big Bonanza, Quell and Nuclear Class leading the pack. If they gas each other early, then the race could be set up not only for Thermal Current but also for Agent or Inside Job.

Agent is an interesting runner also fifth up from a spell. He resumed with a third to latest sprinting sensation Our Boy Malachi then followed that up with a close third to Dothraki – both excellent form references for this assignment.

Then taken to Brisbane he failed to handle a heavy track before heading south to Flemington for his last start eighth down the straight where he also raced Thermal Current.

It would seem Agent failed to appreciate travelling for the first time in his career and both runs are best overlooked when assessing his prospects here.

As an aside Agent meets Thermal Current four kilos better for their last start meeting at Flemington.

Under the guidance of Team Hawkes, Agent will benefit today with the 3kgs claim for Taylor Marshall who has a great record atop the gelding – one win three placings from four mounts.

Marshall also has an impressive 23% strike rate for Team Hawkes so Agent has a bit going for him.

Inside Job who faces his biggest task in three runs this preparation jumping from benchmark 75 class straight to benchmark 90 company but trainer David Pfieffer is clearly looking for some weight relief.

Inside Job has been handicapped to carry 62.5kgs in those easier races whereas today he tumbles in weight to 55kg and will also have another 3kgs off for apprentice Brodie Loy.

Inside Job has enough early pace to be handy in the race and with the significant weight relief looks a definite threat should the race unfold to suit.

Enjoy an interesting battle.