Think About It ripe for first G1 shot
Joe Pride says it is now up to Think About It as the gelding is about to embark on his first assault at Group 1 level.
Defeated once in eight starts, Think About It is a dual winner in Stakes company but will need to lift the bar on Saturday in the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
Not only will it be Think About It's first foray at Group 1 level, but it will also be his first shot at weight-for-age racing.
The Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 and the $3 million in prize money is Think About It's ultimate aim for his winter campaign in Brisbane.
"I wouldn't say there was nowhere for him to go, he could have run in the BRC Sprint (at Doomben last Saturday), but I wanted to give him a look at Eagle Farm before the Stradbroke," Pride said.
"And that opportunity is on Saturday, albeit at weight-for-age.
"The horse has done well, I'm really happy with him, but it is an acid test for him.
"If he's not up to it now, I think he will get there eventually and the only way to find out is to put him in one of these races and give him an opportunity."
Think About It has drawn a middle gate, barrier eight, on Saturday which will give jockey Sam Clipperton the opportunity to assess his options.
Pride said there should be good speed with stablemate Eduardo drawn inside him in gate five, although a few that he thought would be lining up ran at Doomben on Saturday.
"It will be a fast race as Eduardo is coming up for it," Pride said.
"He'll run them along a bit so it will be a good opportunity for them, but Think It Over, he's led, and he's won, and he's sat back, so a middle draw is nice."
While Think About It has won seven races with his biggest win coming in Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick in February, Price said it would be quite easy to talk down the gelding's prospects in a race like what he is contesting on Saturday.
"But that's not for me on what he's done so far," Pride said.
"We have to see where we are."
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...