His win in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday took his earnings over the $1 million mark but Warwick Farm-based trainer Joe Pride believes the best is yet to come for his progressive four-year-old Think About It.
Boasting an impeccable record of eight wins and an unlucky third from just nine starts the son of So You Think has taken all before him coming from winning a midweek Benchmark 72 handicap to Group One champion in the space of four and a half months this preparation.
Speaking with Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday morning, Pride marvelled at his galloper’s rapid ascension and is not afraid to target future riches for his gelding. His next assignment will be the $3 million Group One Stradbroke Handicap back at Eagle Farm on June 10.
“It’s quite staggering to look at his progress to see that the horse is now a Weight-For-Age Group One winner,” Pride said.
“The scary thing with this horse is that he’s done this all in nine starts, it’s not very often that my horses are at their best.
“We haven’t seen the best of most of my horses until they’re having at least their 15th start, that’s about the mark where you might be starting to see the best of them.
“The fact that he got here so quick, you would think he can still improve.”
Pride won’t be changing much in the lead-up to the Queensland feature, given that his charge can be a bit of a handful around the stables. Known to get fizzed up in the enclosure pre-race, Think About It was a notable drifter in the market on the weekend.
“He’s a pretty high energy horse, he’s a horse that’ll cope well with another couple of gallops,” Pride said.
“I’ve just got to keep this horse ticking over, make sure he doesn’t hurt himself because he’s his own worst enemy at times.
“Keep him happy and get him back up to Queensland in one piece.”
Regular rider Sam Clipperton has been on board for the past six consecutive victories, with last Saturday’s win bringing up the underrated hoop’s fourth success at the highest level. Barring any suspensions or injury Clipperton will be back in the saddle come Stradbroke day.
“I was a bit surprised that was only his fourth to be honest,” Pride said.
“I’m not counting jockey’s Group Ones but he’s been a jockey that has been very successful, he’s had a stint in Hong Kong.
“I thought he might have ridden more than that, but I’m sure there’s plenty more to come for him.”
Think About It is currently $3 favourite in All-In markets for the Stradbroke Handicap ahead of Hawaii Five Oh at $5 with Converge sitting at $8 on the third line of betting.