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.

Advertisement

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.

“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

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...
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
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.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
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.
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.