Darren Weir is confident veteran sprinter Thermal Current will prove extremely tough to beat when he lines up for the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday.
Thermal Current carries winning form into Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes. Photo Jenny Barnes
Thermal Current began his racing career under the guidance of the recently-retired Peter Moody in early 2013, but has already posted a number of impressive results since arriving at Weir’s Ballarat stables in March.
Following a lacklustre run for sixteenth in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) on May 21st, the Exceed And Excel gelding returned to winning form in the Golden Topaz (1200m) last time out on June 10th and Weir believes he has only improved from the run.
“Thermal Current bounced back to form in the Topaz,” Weir told AAP.
“He could have run last week down the straight in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final but I reckon he’s better at Caulfield.
“He went to St Arnaud for a trial (on June 28) just to keep him up to the mark. He’s good. He’s very hairy looking but he lives outside at home.
“It’s completely different to what he would have been used to.”
Posting five wins and a further nine minors through twenty-nine career starts to date, Thermal Current contested only one race for Moody in 2016 before the Caulfield-based trainer’s retirement; a credible third behind subsequent Group 1 champion Malaguerra in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) on March 5th.
Thermal Current immediately impressed upon debuting for Weir on April 2nd; mustering an impressive turn of foot to take out the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington; in this instance beating subsequent Group 1 winner Precious Gem.
Progressing to fourth in the Gold Sprint (1200m) a fortnight later, Thermal Current ran fifth in the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on May 7th, in what was his only other start prior to the Straight Six.
Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Thermal Current at 2016 Sir John Monash Stakes odds of $14.
