Everest winner Think About It cruises in barrier trial ahead of G1 assault

The Everest winner Think About It didn't need to win a barrier trial to make a resounding statement he's set to be a star turn during Sydney's autumn carnival.

Think About It, with regular jockey Sam Clipperton in the saddle, was in cruise control as he closed strongly to be beaten a head by Team Snowden's Don Corleone over 800m in 48.53s.

King's Gambit, a stablemate of Don Corleone closed fast to finish a short head away third with Mazu a handy fourth.

The Joe Pride-trained Think About It was having his first serious hit-out since his outstanding 2023 campaign where he won nine of his 10 starts including The Everest plus Group 1 successes in the Kingsford-Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap.

"I couldn't have asked any more from this horse, he trialled very well – this horse never lets me down,'' Pride said.

The first trial was a full of top class gallopers!

Don Corleone holds out the Everest winner Think About It and King's Gambit motors home into third! pic.twitter.com/MuK09AFITI

- SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 11, 2024

Think About It will have another barrier trial before resuming in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 9.

He is then scheduled to contest the Group 1 $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 23 before the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 6.

Pride hasn't ruled out sending Think About It to 2000m for the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick a week after the Doncaster, either.

The trainer's ambitions to stretch Think About It to at least 1600m this autumn means the superstar sprinter isn't in the mix for a Royal Ascot sprint campaign in June and a defence of his The Everest title is no certainty later this year.

"I think Royal Ascot is too risky, I would have thought, at this point of Think About It's life and career,'' Pride said.

"We have so many options with this horse in the next 12 months. I'm really hoping he proves he's at least a miler this preparation.

"If he is, then he won't be in The Everest this year, he will be in the King Charles III Stakes the same day."

Think About It claims the $20mill @tabcomau Everest 🔥🏇

Congratulations Sam Clipperton and @PrideRacing along with @ProvenTbreds @NewgateFarm GPI Racing

Stable gets first and third with Private Eye filling the minors. I Wish I Win splits them for second#TABEverest pic.twitter.com/Ngtw4e91Pl

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 14, 2023

Mazu, a new stable recruit for Pride, was just over a length away fourth.

"I think he is coming along pretty well,'' Pride said of Mazu, a Group 1 winner and The Everest placegetter.

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"I'm very happy with what I'm seeing from him, I think he is appreciating a change of environment.

"For an older horse, it seems to be doing him good to be in a different place.''

Pride said Mazu will resume the same day as Think About It but will run in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m).

"I'm going to the Challenge with Mazu and then to The Galaxy,'' Pride said.

Coal Crusher, winner of The Hunter last spring, also contested the heat but noticeably did not wear blinkers and chased his eight rivals to the line.

Coal Crusher and Tyler Schiller crush the field in the Hunter - used the horses best asset, bowling along in front and took the 💰 #Newcastle

pic.twitter.com/hdQlQdiOqY

— PointsBet (@pointsbetcomau) November 18, 2023

Pride is keen for Coal Crusher to resume in the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

"Coal Crusher had his leg caught up in the barriers which is why he came out a few lengths behind them,'' Pride explained.

"But he is fine and I want to run him in the Expressway. It's a quick turnaround for him but I can do that with this horse. He's a good, tough horse and enjoys plenty of racing.

"Because of his win in The Hunter, he has his rating up now so I haven't got a specific target, we will work that out after Saturday.''

Winx's half-sister City Of Lights also trialled later the session, pleasing Pride as she worked home nicely for third behind the in-form Willaidow and The Metropolitan winner Just Fine.

"I want to get City Of Lights over a bit of ground this preparation,'' Pride said. "I'm eyeing off the Epona Stakes with her.''