Think It Over to resume in the Apollo Stakes
The path to another tilt at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for 2022 winner Think It Over is set to begin in another Randwick weight-for-age race the grand campaigner also won two years ago.
Trainer Kerry Parker is thrilled with the way his stable star is going in preparation for his first start of 2024 on Saturday in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.
Nash Rawiller is booked to continue his association with Think It Over in the 1400-metre event, with Parker also pencilling in another two races for the gelding’s campaign before the $5 million Queen Elizabeth (2000m) at Randwick in April during The Championships.
Think It Over won the Apollo and Queen Elizabeth during a memorable 2022 autumn preparation before the gelding spent more than a year off the scene when he suffered a tendon injury.
His comeback campaign during the 2023 spring netted a victory in the $1 million 7 Stakes at Randwick.
He was spelled again after an unplaced finish in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes on October 14.
“He’s come back great,” Parker said.
“I thought his trials have been really good and he’s been doing everything really well, so I’m looking forward to getting him back to the races next Saturday.
“He’ll just head on that traditional path to the Queen Elizabeth.
“He’s won it (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) once and it would be nice to get him back there fully fit and going, so fingers crossed.”
The Apollo has attracted 13 nominations including multiple Group 1 winners Fangirl, Cascadian and Militarize.
Think It Over was beaten just under 1-1/2-lengths when sixth in the Group 1 Winx Stakes over the Randwick 1400m first-up from his lengthy lay-off last spring.
“Last time I had brought him in really early and made sure we gave him a really good foundation, so he had been in work a long time before that carnival,” Parker said.
“I thought he did a super job to come back and win the 7 Stakes and I was happy to give him a nice break.”
Think It Over has had two Warwick Farm trials leading into the Apollo.
“I think he’ll run really well,” Parker said.
“He’s got good first-up form but he is getting a little older, he might find something a little sharper and no doubt he’s still going to improve from his first-up run.
“He is an eight-year-old now but he is coming up really good. I was rapt with his trial and he worked nicely (on Saturday morning) so I’m looking forward to getting him back to the races.”
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...