Think It Over Triumphs in Vintage G1 Queen Elizabeth

From 1600m to 3200m, So You Think was the dominant force on Day Two of The Championships at Randwick with his ability sire elite WFA horses highlighted when Think It Over (6g So You Think x Personal Service, by Zabeel) scored a remarkable victory in the $4million Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

An unlucky fourth last year in the Queen Elizabeth last year behind Addeybb, Verry Elleegant and Dalasan when beaten a length and a half, Think It Over made amends for that defeat despite the heavy 10 track conditions in which he is not at his best.

Under an enterprising ride by Nash Rawiller, the Kerry Parker-trained gelding overwhelmed a vintage field of elite Group I winners, sweeping down the outside fence to defeat Zaaki by a half-length.

“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.”

That will to win is formidable with Think It Over boasting the impressive record of 12 wins and 11 placings from 35 starts with prizemoney of $7.1million.

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

“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, but has blossomed with maturity.

Think It Over is the best of four winners from well bred unraced Zabeel mare Personal Service, 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.

Personal Service was one of 203 mares covered last spring by Coolmore’s So You Think, who ended Saturday with three Group I winners at Randwick with Think It Over and Knight’s Order joined by Nimalee.