The real I Thought So has stood up and spoiled the Jungle Edge party at Randwick, taking out the 1200-metre open sprint.
With heavy conditions to suit, Jungle Edge was the $3.90 favourite but even with Georgina Cartwright’s three kilogram claim he had to give I Thought So ($5.50) 6.5kg.
Jungle Edge led as expected but in the final 200 metres the weight difference told and Glyn Schofield steered I Thought So to a 1-1/2 length win with Faraway Town ($6.50), an emergency for the Group One Tatt’s Tiara in Brisbane, another neck third.
I Thought So has developed a reputation as a non-winner with Saturday’s victory his third from 17 starts which include eight minor placings.
“A win is a confidence boost like nothing else and I expect he can go on with it from here,” Schofield said.
“I Thought So is clearly talented and he has beaten a seasoned campaigner who loves the wet.
“He has got this reputation of not wanting to go forward and win but he didn’t give me the indication he wasn’t genuine today.
“He jumped well, travelled well, it was a solid win – no weakness there.”
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said I Thought So had his quirks but also an abundance of talent.
“He is the sort of horse you have to take as you find him,” he said.
“He can get a bit bubbly on race day but in the stable butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
“We’re still learning about him and I think he will be a better horse over 1400 metres.
“I think he could win any race we set him for.”
Jungle Edge’s trainer Mick Bell was far from despondent about his stable star’s defeat.
“I’m very happy and I was happy with Georgina’s ride,” he said.
“In the end the weight told. He still kept Faraway Town out of second so I’m still really happy.
“There is a chance he could back up next week in the Civic Stakes.”
The Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) is at Rosehill and has a maximum topweight of 61kg meaning regular rider Kevin Forrester would be back aboard.
