The Everest 2023: Think About It stamps claims
Think About It has reaffirmed his Everest favouritism with a determined victory in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick as Hawaii Five Oh put his hand up for a slot with a slashing second.
Sent out a $1.85 Ladbrokes favourite, Think About It hit the front halfway up the straight and pulled out all stops for Sam Clipperton to stave off the late challenge of Hawaii Five Oh ($8.50) by a head.
The five-year-old has now won 10 of his 11 starts, the past eight in succession, Saturday’s result coming as a relief for trainer Joe Pride who has been anxious to see Think About It put the writing on the wall at his first start since taking out the Stradbroke Handicap in June.
“Big relief. It felt like there was more to lose today than to gain,” Pride said.
“He sort of looked a bit lost when he got to the front there and he’s up against these big boys now, he can’t afford to do anything wrong.
“He wandered around a little bit he’ll take good improvement out of that.”
Clipperton, the regular rider of Think About it, said he had little choice but to hit the front when he did after leader Lost And Running began to weaken.
While the winning margin was narrow, he expected the run to prove an ideal Everest lead-up for the lightly raced sprinter.
“It was a perfect run for him because it just seasons his head a bit more,” Clipperton said.
“He’s basically only dashed up two furlongs and I’m certain that this horse will take a world of improvement out of today.”
Co-trainer Adrian Bott wasn’t surprised to see Hawaii Five Oh produce a head-turning performance and hoped that would secure the horse one of the final Everest slots.
“We have tried to convince all the parties that still have slots to not make a decision before today because we wanted them to see Hawaii Five Oh,” Bott said.
“He has obviously put in a massive run here against the Everest favourite.”
Bott is also keeping the faith in former English mare Alcohol Free, who finished fourth, saying she can improve in a more truly run race.
“The shape of the race probably didn’t suit her,” Bott said.
“I’ve spoken to (owners and Everest slot holders) Yulong and told them she is on track. From our perspective, she has done enough today.”
Bella Nipotina ran her usual honest race for third ($7.50), three-quarters of a length behind the first two.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...