Stradbroke Handicap 2023 Winner Is The Everest Bound Think About It

Joe Pride‘s The Everest-bound sprint star Think About It was arrogant proving his class once more when backing-up from a Kingsford Smith Cup victory to celebrate successive Eagle Farm Group 1 wins in Saturday’s $3 million The Star Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

Last week the gun four-year-old son of versatile sire So You Think became the third horse to secure a slot in October’s $15 million The Everest (1200m).

Henry Field’s Newgate Farm secured the majority share of Greg Ingham’s GPI Racing The Everest slot and immediately locked in the progressive Think About It who has now won nine of his 10 career starts.

After a bullish Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) win at weight-for-age last time out Think About It relished a drop in weight and was airborne late charging home to take out the Stradbroke as the $3.60 favourite by one and a half-lengths.

“I think I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this, he’s pretty amazing,” Pride told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“The way he’s gone through the grades. It was a really special win today see him draw away from them and he was never going to get beaten.

“I’m a bit lost for words.”

Last year’s third place-getter Rothfire ($16) was typically brave with the local RobertHeathcote-trained hero carrying the 57kg top-weight this year from the outside alley to run on-pace throughout and hold for second.

In third rounding out the Stradbroke Handicap trifecta was progressive three-year-old Hawaii Five Oh ($5) for last year’s winning trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

Think About It was ridden to victory by Sam Clipperton who had the horse settled back off the speed mid-field throughout as Gentleman Roy led the Stradbroke runners around.

The favourite was quick into stride on the home straight coming down the outside fast to run past Rothfire who was trying hard and storm home in sensational style.

“He’s just been able to keep climbing,” Pride added.

“This is the first time I haven’t put him up in grade from one run to the next and that was going from a Group 1 to a Group 1.

“That was amazing.”

Pride is confident Think About It will equip himself well come The Everest 2023 before tackling potentially longer-distanced spring targets.

“Bring on anything for this horse,” Pride said.

“I just don’t know where his ceiling is.

“I would love to see how far he would run. I think he’ll easily run a mile.

“But, first thing’s first, The Everest slot in the spring. It’s hard to imagine him not running well.”

“I think he’s (So You Think) a fantastic stallion to state the obvious,” Pride said.

“I’ve trained him (Think About It) as a sprinter so far, but that’s not to say he can’t run further.”

Last year’s winner Giga Kick heads current all-in The Everest betting at Ladbrokes and is also assured of a start already along with the 2022 third placed Mazu.

Think About It has firmed into $9 The Everest odds.