Trainer Joe Pride is confident his stable star Think About It will improve further in two weeks time when he lines up in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
This was no idle boast from Pride either as he genuinely believes there is improvement in Think About It, an impressive winner of the Kingsford Smith Cup.
Think About It was having his first test at Group 1 level in the Kingsford Smith Cup but was quite dominant scoring his eighth win from just nine starts under regular jockey Sam Clipperton.
The sprint sensation carried weight-for-age of 59kg last Saturday but drops to 54kg for the Stradbroke where he is now the $3 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for Queensland’s premier race.
“I am assuming Think About It is going to be better for the Stradbroke, to be honest,’’ Pride said.
“He was only second-up and had three weeks between runs going into the Kingsford Smith Cup but I know he is a better horse when I race him close together.
“So, two weeks between runs and back to a handicap for the Stradbroke where he is a Group 1 winner with 54kg he looks well placed.’’
Joe Pride thinks Think About It will only get better in two weeks time. Picture: Grant Peters–Trackside Photography
Think About It, who is raced by Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds, was on a float from Brisbane to Sydney overnight with Pride keen to get his lightly-raced four-year-old back to his Warwick Farm stable base to prepare for the Stradbroke on June 10.
There has also been speculation Think About It could be aimed at the $15m Everest at Randwick in October with the Pride-trained sprinter now into $15 behind defending champ and early favourite Giga Kick at $3.50.
Pride said he wasn’t looking beyond the Stradbroke with Think About It just yet.
“It is certainly a consideration but I said to Jamie Walter this (Sunday) morning I just want to get through the Stradbroke with Think About It first,’’ Pride said.
“Proven Thoroughbreds also have Private Eye going to The Everest but there is nothing wrong with having two sprinters in The Everest.’’
The racing future for Pride’s other top sprinter, rising 10-year-old Eduardo is more clouded after the gelding faded to run 15th, beaten more than 12 lengths behind Think About It.
“Eduardo will go for a spell but there is no decision on what we will do after that, I’m going to have a chat with the owners first,’’ Pride said.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hawaii Five Oh is into $5 second favouritism for the Stradbroke after he secured a start with a brilliant win in the Fred Best Classic.
Bott confirmed Rachel King will be boom colt Hawaii Five Oh’s rider in the Stradbroke as she can get down to the colt’s 49.5kg handicap.
“There are not many who can ride at such a lightweight but Rachel can quite easily,’’ Bott said.
“Hawaii Five Oh has come through Saturday’s race in great order and he’s in the Stradbroke now.
“This colt keeps improving, he has that competitive streak in him and he’s racing with a lot of confidence.’’
Waterhouse and Bott, who prepared Alligator Blood to win the Stradbroke last year, also have Converge ($7) on target for the race after he closed off strongly to finish second behind Think About It on Saturday.
YOU CAN BET ON IT
Conscript was only the sixth best-backed runner in the eighth event at Randwick and accounted for just over 7 per cent of the hold. But the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained runner was $10 into $8.50 on race day with notable bets on the winner including $1,500 at $7.50 and $500 each way at $7.50/$2.50.
At Eagle Farm, it was an easy watch for favourite backers with Kovalica bolting in to win the Queensland Derby at $1.70. The Chris Waller-trained runner was responsible for over 47 per cent of all investments on the feature. Notable bets on the winner included $12,650 a $1.75, $10,000 at $1.70 and $6,000 at $1.75.
Think About It was backed into $5 before winning the Kingsford Smith Cup. The Joe Pride-trained sprinter was the best backed runner in the race and accounted for 27 per cent of the hold. Notable bets on the winner included $10,000 at $4.20.
FIVE TO FOLLOW
Iowna Merc (race 7) was given the run of the race by Rachel King but still had to execute, which he did effectively to score an impressive first-up win. The Bjorn Baker-trained Iowna Merc has won three of his six starts and has considerable upside. Promising sprinter and can keep winning over winter.
Unique Ambition (race 1) started at $101 and ran a blinder to beat all but the talented Tannhauser in the juvenile opener. The filly is by Tavistock and will appreciate getting out over further than 1400m. Unique Ambition, part-owned by two former AJC chairman, David Hall and Treve Williams, won’t be starting at $101 next start.
Mayfair Spirit (race 6) ran only 10th but never got clear galloping room in the straight. The former English stayer has been unplaced in five starts this campaign but has been absolutely luckless at his two most recent run. He’s going better than his form reads.
Through The Cracks (race 8) ran a blinder first-up, finishing powerfully to just miss a placing behind Conscript over an unsuitable 1100m. The Angela Davies-trained Through The Cracks is a very talented galloper when right and his comeback run indicates he is ready to regain winning form.
Green Shadows (race 10) might not have beaten the impressive Phearson but he should have finished closer than his two-and-a-half length second. He was held up for a run at a vital stage in the straight and when clear the winner was off and gone. Green Shadows was first-up and will be improved by the run.
TURF TALK
“We’ve had three very nice Darby horses (Overpass, Malkovich, Iowna Merc) recently that have all stepped out fresh up after being gelded and gone very well so it might be a good theme,’’ said trainer Bjorn Baker.
“I am loving Sydney racing – although the traffic could be better,’’ said apprentice Jett Stanley after winning on Naval College.
“He’s a progressive horse. The ability is there, as long as he works with us because he can be a bit cantankerous but he’s got plenty of upside,’’ said John Thompson, trainer of Crafty Eagle.
“Tannhauser has come on from obviously being a little bit green in his first racing preparation through to the Fernhill. He’s come back and trialled exceptionally well, he was very professional, and with the blinkers on he has gone to a new level today,’’ said Charlie Duckworth from the Chris Waller stable.
“He’s come back a lot bigger and stronger and a better horse. He is a proper little horse with a good record now,’’ said Gerald Ryan, trainer of Conscript.
“With the speed they were going upfront, I thought they can’t keep going and Cisco Bay might be a chance to finish over the top of them. Cisco Bay only has a short sprint and Robbie (Dolan, jockey) was patient and didn’t go too early. He got it just right,’’ Gerald Ryan again.
CRUNCH TIME
Through The Cracks (race 8) had to change course in the straight but charged home to just miss third, sprinting his final 600m in 33.40s, the best of the meeting.
Super Strike (race 9) came from last with a powerful surge to claim third placing, with his 11.54s one of the fastest splits of the day.
Contemporary (race 4) ran his final 600m in a fast 33.47s with a 200m split of 11.46s, the meeting’s fastest closing sectional.
Tannhauser (race 1) sustained a strong gallop with a 34.2s split from the 600m as he came from last to win.
STEWARDS SAY
Union Army (race 4) was slow to begin then was unable to obtain completely clear running in the straight and was not able to be fully tested.
Pin Me Up (race 5) was held up behind Portray at the 200m before shifting to the inside but approaching the 100m was steadied when disappointed for a run between Ella Te Ama and Kazou. Over the final 100m could not be fully tested when awkwardly placed at the heels of Kazou, which laid out.
Mayfair Spirit (race 6) was held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 100m.
Fox Fighter (race 8) was improving into an available run between The Face and Spaceboy at the 200m but soon after had to be steadied as a consequence of a slight shift from both those horses. Fox Fighter then remained held up and was not able to be tested for the remainder of the race.
Green Shadows (race 10) was slow to begin then held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
RANDWICK SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY
RUN OF THE DAY
A tough day to identify a clear cut run of the day but Naval College is a nice young import who appears to be heading in the right direction. He is only lightly raced and you’d expect he has much more to offer.
FORGET THEY RAN
The Ryan-Alexiou stable had a good day but it would have been a tough watch for them with UNION ARMY who had no luck again running into dead ends. He is sure to win another race again in the near future.
THE BLACKBOOK
MARCASSIN got no cover from his wide draw in the Highway and his performance was more than acceptable. He has had three runs back from a very long spell now and is ready to deliver at this level.
RIDE OF THE DAY
JETT STANLEY was very cool for a 3kg claiming apprentice on Naval College. He is not making too many mistakes and is reaping the rewards with the backing of the Annabel Neasham stable.
NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD
#What’s on in NSW racing this week:
Monday: Port Macquarie
Tuesday: Newcastle
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Wyong, Nowra
Friday: Dubbo, Wagga Wagga
Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Newcastle
Sunday: Murwillumbah, Muswellbrook