Progressive Shocking four-year-old I’m Thunderstruck is tipped to take home a Group 1 win at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday sitting top of the odds for the Toorak Handicap 2021.

I’m Thunderstruck is tipped to take out the 2021 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A quality line-up of 14 milers is engaged in this weekend’s Group 1 $1 million Toorak Handicap (1600m) as part of Caulfield Guineas Day and the money is on the lightly-raced Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior-trained I’m Thunderstruck.

The horse is four from seven to date and was excellent first-up at the track on September 18 when only a half-length third in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

He did it tough from barrier 16 of 16 that run and is drawn to get an easier go of it stepping up to a mile in the Toorak from gate four with Jye McNeil retaining the ride.

Remaining on just 52kg, I’m Thunderstruck is well-weighted and presents fitter second-up making him a deserving favourite in the markets at $2.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

The two runners that narrowly beat him home in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes trifecta are also acceptors for the rematch in the Toorak with the winner Sierra Sue and runner-up Dice Roll paying $11 and $9.50 respectively.

Trust In A Gust (2014) was the last horse to complete the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – Toorak Handicap double that Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young’s consistent Darci Brahma mare Sierra Sue is at double-figures to repeat this spring.

Two from three at Caulfield thanks to her wins in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke this campaign, the five-year-old is going very well but will need to be good rising from just 52.5kg last time out to 56kg on Saturday after her Group 1 success.

The Nick Ryan-trained Dice Roll meanwhile was good fresh at big odds ridden by Fred Kersley in the Sir Rupert, the galloper going up from 52k to 53.5kg this Saturday with the same hoop from barrier one.

Following I’m Thunderstruck in the markets at current Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes odds of $5.50 meanwhile is the up-and-coming Elephant from the Kiwi stables of Emma-Lee and David Browne.

A winner of six of his seven starts, the fellow son of Shocking won first-up down under in mid-August at Caulfield before being narrowly denied the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence when going down to Sierra Sue in a photo finish.

He then went to Sandown on Underwood Stakes Day and won the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) carrying 58.5kg as the short-priced favourite.

Saturday’s assignment is no doubt tougher, but he will relish the mile and drops to 55.5kg with Damian Lane in the saddle from a favourable barrier five draw.

Other notable Toorak Handicap hopefuls this year include Michael Moroney’s talented top-weight Tofane ($10) who completed the Stradbroke – Tiara double in Brisbane over the winter, recent Feehan Stakes winner Superstorm ($13) in a strong vein of form after a third to Zaaki in the Underwood and the consistent Adelaide raider Second Slip ($16) with Linda Meech riding from gate two.

Click here for the latest Toorak Handicap 2021 betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2021 Toorak Handicap Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.