Think About It destroys top tier Stradbroke Handicap field
Joseph Pride and Sam Clipperton have combined with Think About It to take out the feature Group 1 race of the day, the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon.
After stepping up to Group 1 grade for the first time last start in his Kingsford Smith Cup victory, this four-year-old gelding has now recorded back-to-back Group 1 wins, taking out Queensland’s richest race.
The speed map looked awkward for the son of So You Think, but Clipperton didn’t panic and found cover three-wide and travelled sweetly up to the home turn, before cutting loose and storming past his rivals in the final 200m of the race.
Once he stormed clear and put up a length on Rothfire – who was game in defeat after sitting on speed – the race was all over and Clipperton throttled him down to sit up for the photo this up-and-coming star cantered over the line.
All the way throughout betting, Pride’s stable star held favouritism with most online bookmakers, and even though he wobbled out from $3 to $3.50 in the final minutes, he did his followers proud with a big win.
2023 Stradbroke Handicap Replay – Think About It
After Think About It’s big win, Joseph Pride spoke post-race about one of the highlight wins of his training career.
“I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this. He’s pretty good,” Pride said.
“Just the way he’s gone through his grades and the way he’s been able to do it. I’m a bit lost for words, it was a really special win today.
“Just to see him draw away from them – he was never going to get beat.
“He’s just been able to keep climbing. This is the first time I haven’t put him up in grade from one run to the next – and it was Group 1 to Group 1.
“Bring on anything for this horse. I just don’t know where his ceiling is, he’s amazing.
“But first thing’s first – the Everest slot.
“The Everest is there in the spring and it’s hard to imagine him not running well.”
Sam Clipperton has been with Think About It at his last seven starts and during that time he has given him multiple Group 1’s.
“I’m quite speechless. Just very lucky to have the opportunity on this horse and I never think the morning of his races of his winning streak,” Clipperton said.
“It is hard to ignore but I just purely and simply ride the horse on feel and the feel he gives me is like no horse has ever given me and I’m truly grateful of Joe Pride and Proven Thoroughbreds just to ride this amazing horse.
“Nothing is set in stone in terms of riders, but I’ll be putting my hand up.”
Think About It is now the third favourite at $9 with most online betting sites in The Everest futures markets.