Tuvalu To Prove Himself At Sandown

Promising galloper Tuvalu (Kermadec-Hangin' Tough, by Exceed and Excel) is out to show his class without his rival I'm Thunderstruck (Shocking-Primadonna Girl, by Edenwold) at Sandown today, reports racing.com. Tuvalu won his first two starts, then ran second behind I'm Thunderstruck at his next two starts. "I could've dodged it (I'm Thunderstruck) the other day, but I thought my horse had improved and the track might suit us," said trainer Lindsey Smith about Tuvalu's last run at Moonee Valley. "We found out we're not as good as (I'm Thunderstruck) yet, but I walked away quite happy and there was a big gap to third. I think my horse will make open company if he improves like I think he can. Would I swap him - it wouldn't matter which one I took home put it that way." Tuvalu was sold at the Inglis Melbourne Yearling Sale by Merricks Station for $200,000 and his trainer will likely turn him out for a spell after today's run. "Looking at his body, and the owner generally leaves it to me, I'm thinking he would go to the paddock after this run if it's not too cold to be tipping him out then," Smith said.