More mature King chasing G1 Australian Derby glory

King Of Thunder is back and looking for redemption in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), five months after his spring campaign ended in disappointment in the Victoria Derby.

He heads into Saturday’s Group 1 at Randwick off a fast turnaround, having run third in the postponed Tulloch Stakes (2000m) just four days earlier.

The compressed schedule hasn’t deterred trainer John O’Shea, who believes King Of Thunder is ready to peak.

“It is what it is,” O’Shea said.

“I don’t think there is any issue for him at the trip. He is executing his race plan so much better now as an older three-year-old.

We can go into Saturday’s race knowing we’ve got a fit horse that will be better suited on top of the ground that is going to run a strong mile-and-a-half.

We’re looking forward to the day.”

After placing in The Vase (2040m) and running below expectations in the Victoria Derby, King Of Thunder now returns a more complete horse.

O’Shea remains respectful of the talented Aeliana but is confident in his own runner’s improvement.

“The filly is good and she was very good the other day,” O'Shea said.

“But he started favourite in the Victoria Derby. He didn’t execute well there, he will execute well on Saturday.”

Also on the program, Athabascan steps out in the Chairman’s Quality ahead of a Sydney Cup tilt. With a weight swing over Alalcance, he’s expected to feature prominently.

But it’s Polymnia who could give the stable their best result in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).

“She is a filly who has been very unlucky throughout her career and the other day we sent her for a kill and she got a kill. She thinks she is a bit alright now,” O'Shea said.

“We were treating her as a sprinter and it’s pretty evident she wants to get over a bit of ground.”

Polymnia will be looking to emulate Good Banter, who gave O’Shea victory in last year’s edition of the Adrian Knox Stakes.