Co-trainer John Symons expressed disappointment that the Group 1 JJ Atkins has been reduced in distance from 1600m to 1400m at Eagle Farm in June after his promising Snitzel colt Thunder Mania made a winning return over 1200 metres at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
Training in partnership with Sheila Laxon, Symons believes that Thunder Mania will be at his best6 at 1600m and beyond.
An impressive winner when on debut at Doomben back in December, Thunder Mania prepped for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic in the Group III B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm but he jarred up when finishing sixth behind King’s Legacy and was sent for a spell.
With Larry Cassidy in the saddle on Wednesday, Thunder Mania dawdled out of the barriers and was three lengths last of the seven runners on settling.
Cassidy elected to cut the corner rounding the home turn and by the 250 metres he looked the winner although the Sidereus filly The Silver Lady but was up for the fight before going down by half a length.
An $85,000 purchase by part-owner Michael Kirby out of the Baramul Stud draft at the 2019 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Thunder Mania is just the second winner to date out of the Group III STC Birthday Card Hcp winner Imana (Thunder Gulch).
A $550,000 yearling purchase by Patinack Farm, Imana was purchased by Baramul for $70,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
A full-sister to Thunder Mania made $210,000 to the bid of Mt Hallowell Stud at the Magic Millions earlier this year.
She is the final foal of Imana who died in 2018.
Watch Thunder Mania make her winning debut at Doomben below
