Sensational sprinter Think About It (So You Think) made it eight consecutive wins – and 10 victories from 11 career starts – with a tenacious first-up win in the G2 Premiere Stakes at Randwick.
The victory ensured the 5YO retained his position as $4.50 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the $20m The Everest in a fortnight, a race where victory would see him crowned Australia’s best sprinter.
Think About It cost Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds and trainer Joe Pride just $70,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Newgate Farm.
The Greg and Donna Kolivos-bred Think About It has now won almost $3.5m in earnings.
“He knows where that winning post is,’’ Walter said post-race.
“A lot of expectation comes when you win seven on the trot with a horse like this but he’s a dead set winner, isn’t he. He’s an exceptional horse.
“We only paid $70,000 for him at the Premier Sale, a sale I absolutely love and he’s taking his owners on an unbelievable ride.’’
It’s been a remarkable surge to the top for Think About It (pictured) – he won a BM72 at Warwick Farm in January before progressing into a dual G1 winner over the Brisbane Winter Carnival via the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Hcp and is now arguably one of the best sprinters in the world.
Earlier on today’s Randwick program, Ganbare (Maurice) raced his way into contention for all the feature 3YO middle-distance-and-beyond races this Spring Carnival with a tough victory in the Listed Dulcify Stakes.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt defied a wide barrier and hot speed, proving his tenacity with a courageous win.
He will now take a traditional path toward more 3YO features, lining up next in the G3 Gloaming Stakes in a fortnight before the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 28.
“The speed suited him really well, they had them stretched out but he just seemed in the right position to pounce,’’ a delighted co-trainer Bott said.
“He looked in a beautiful rhythm and I knew he’d be strong late, he’s going to improve out in distance again too.
“He’s very uncomplicated and he’s a horse that just keeps improving with racing. He showed good improvement today and there’s plenty more upside going forward.’’
Ganbare is a $260,000 Classic Yearling Sale purchase for owner Peter Dunn’s Dodmark Thoroughbreds from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, who bred the colt with Matt Cloros.
And last night Griff (Trapeze Artist) led in a 1-2-3-4 finish for Inglis graduates in the G2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley defeating Verdad, Autumn Angel & Limburg.
It’s a second consecutive Stakes win for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Griff, who won the Listed Exford Plate at Flemington 13 days earlier.
Griff is an $80,000 Premier Yearling Sale buy for Kavanagh from the draft of Widden Stud, who bred the horse with Adrian Goonan.
The 3YO firmed into a $15 chance with Ladbrokes for the G1 Caulfield Guineas in a fortnight, which will be his primary Spring target.
Inglis Release
