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.
Think It Over holds a margin over Fangirl - image Steve Hart
Under a savvy ground saving ride by Nash Rawiller, Kerry Parker’s superstar Think It Over was able to thwart the race favourite Fangirl and while she was trailing the field and travelling wide into the straight, he was up on the bridle and taking the short cut home.
Think It Over is a formidable rival to catch in full flight and as hard as Fangirl and James McDonald tried they came up a length short.
A homebred for Richard Johnston’s Bylong Park, Think It Over started his career with John Sargent, but has blossomed with maturity and has the overall record of 14 wins and 13 placings from 41 starts with earnings topping $8.4million.
“Everyone thinks he's a giant-killer, I just think he's a giant," said an elated Kerry Parker.
"I think they've got to get past him and he has proved that again today.
"Nash took some short cuts, I'm sure that helped at the end, but he really bounced off his first-up run and I was looking forward to the challenge today.
"It's always good to get a Group One under your belt. He's just a bottler. He doesn't know he is an eight-year-old, he is loving it.”
Think It Over had a lengthy spell following his win in the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2022 due to a tendon issue and then beat Zaaki (GB) and Fangirl last spring when he won the $1milion ATC Channel Seven Stakes.
"He will just head towards the Queen Elizabeth, that's our main goal this prep, so far so good,” said Parker.
"He is just a thrill, he's the best. He loves racing so much.”
Think It Ove returns to scale with his owner breeder Richard Johnston - image Steve Hart
Think It Over is the best of four winners from five to race from well bred unraced Zabeel mare Personal Service, who died 2022. She was a half-sister to Group I winners Universal Prince and Universal Queen as well as the dam of Group I ATC Coolmore Classic winner Krone.
Think It Over is one of 11 Group I winners for So You Think, whose outstanding sprinter Think About It is due to resume next Saturday in the Group I ATC Canterbury Stakes.
