So You Think's Giant Killer Think It Over Triumphs in the Queen Elizabeth

Mark Smith - Saturday April 9

While it was a shame to see some outstanding performers struggling in the conditions, the $4,000,000 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick proved an epic duel between Think It Over and Zaaki (GB).

Think It Over storms down the outside

Think It Over became the second Group 1 winner for So You Think in 40 minutes after the imported Knights Order (IRE) brained them in the Sydney Cup.

Under an enterprising ride by Nash Rawiller, the Kerry Parker-trained gelding swept down the outside fence to defeat Zaaki (GB) by a half-length with third-placed Mount Popa (IRE) a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

It was a second win at the highest level for Think It Over, advancing his record to 12 wins, seven seconds, and four thirds, with earnings of $6,144,570.

Advertisement
“Our plan was to go forward, and I didn’t care if he snuck away at the 1000m,” Parker revealed.

“But Nash had gone to the inside on one earlier and went ‘yeah it’s no good there.’ So we thought we’d go to the outside this time, and what a thrill.”

“Going to the outside that was Nash on his own. But the plan was always to make sure this was genuinely run.

“My only option was to go out there positive and let the horse do the work and just rely on his guts and will to win.

“It’s just a little bit better on the outside. We are very proud of him, it’s just sensational.

“We come here today, I said to the guys ‘we haven’t given up the ghost just because it’s wet and we can’t win.’ We know this horse tries so hard, and so does Nash, and just the team is overwhelmed.”

A homebred for Richard Johnston’s Bylong Park, Think It Over started his career with John Sargent.

He is by some distance the best of four winners from as many to race from the unraced Zabeel mare Personal Service.

A half-sister to 4-time Group 1 winner Universal Prince and Group 1 winner Universal Queen, and to the dam of Group I ATC Coolmore Classic winner Krone, Personal Service has a yearling colt by Exosphere and was covered by So You Think last spring.

So You Think

Visit the profile page for So You Think

So You Think in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Longines Queen Elizabeth Stks Gr1 2000m

Randwick Track: Heavy(10) Time: 2:10.87
1
Think It Over
- 6g So You Think (NZ) x Personal Service (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: K J Parker Rdr: N Rawiller 59
So You Think
2
0.5
Zaaki
- 7g Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) x Kesara (GB) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Jamie Kah 59
3
4.3
Mount Popa
- 7g Maxios (GB) x Mimalia (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 59
4
6.4
Dalasan
- 5h Dalakhani (IRE) x Khandallah (AUS) (Kitten's Joy (USA))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: C Schofield 59
5
6.7
Verry Elleegant
- 6m Zed (NZ) x Opulence (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
6
6.9
I'm Thunderstruck
- 4g Shocking (AUS) x Primadonna Girl (NZ) (Edenwold (CAN))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: M Zahra 59
7
7.5
Duais
- 4m Shamus Award (AUS) x Meerlust (AUS) (Johannesburg (USA))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: J Parr 57
8
8.5
Montefilia
- 4m Kermadec (NZ) x Bana Wu (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: J Bowman 57
9
13.0
Anamoe
- 3c Street Boss (USA) x Anamato (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Another G1 Victory for Think It Over
The $1million Group I ATC Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday was supposed to be a walk in the park for glamour mare Fangirl, but once again, as we have seen him do so many times in the past, So You Think’s battle seasoned warrior Think It Over was having none of that.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Think He’s Back to His Best
The $1million ATC Channel Seven Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday didn’t carry Black Type, but was a Group I race in every other way featuring a stellar field of WFA performers with the cream rising to the top as comeback king Think It Over nailed Zaaki (GB) on the line with glamour mare Fangirl in third place.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Think It Over Retired
Eight year-old So You Think gelding Think It Over has run his last race with his trainer Kerry Parker notifying stewards this morning that his stable star would be retired following consultation with his owner breeder Richard Johnston.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.