Think It Over was one of the stars of the 2021 Spring and the 2022 Autumn, culminating in a memorable win in a top quality field in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) before injury struck, resulting in over 16 months off the scene.
Now eight years old, Kerry Parker’s banner horse is set to resume in Saturday’s Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) following some encouraging trackwork and trials.
“He’s great. He’s going into it really well, really happy with him,” Parker told RSN.
Parker is under no illusions of the task Think It Over faces off such a long break but is confident the horse has fully recovered from the injury.
“A tendon’s a tendon, it doesn’t matter how bad they are, as far as they go it wasn’t a dramatic bow or anything but it was a hole in the tendon. There’s been a lot of work and a lot of rehab to get him back into it but so far so good and we tick that next box on Saturday,” Parker said.
The $6 million earner has had a slow build up but Parker has been encouraged by regular jockey Nash Rawiller’s feedback from a recent gallop and trial.
“He (Nash) was absolutely thrilled with him, he came down and rode him in the track gallop at Kembla (Grange) a few weeks ago and then of course in the trial and he’s over the moon with him,” Parker said.
Two races have been circled as potential Spring goals for Think It Over, who has won races from 1300-2000m.
“No doubt the King Charles and the Cox Plate would be two main goals, we’ll have to take each run as it comes but the main thing is he’s got to turn up Saturday and race really well and come through it in one piece.”
“He’s done plenty, as far as you can. The last thing you want him to do is get him there half fit, he’s going into it as well as he can,” Parker said.
Think It Over is currently an $8 chance for the Winx Stakes with TAB behind Fangirl ($3.50) and Zaaki ($4.50).
