‘Hope they bring her’: Trainer Joe Pride wants Imperatriz clash in Group 1 Canterbury Stakes

Trainer Joe Pride confirmed Think About It will resume in the Randwick weight-for-age race on March 9 after his stable superstar trialled impressively at Warwick Farm on Monday.

Think About It wins The Everest.

The Everest winner Think About It and New Zealand’s champion mare Imperatriz could be set for the sprint showdown of the season in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick next week.

Trainer Joe Pride confirmed Think About It will resume in the Randwick weight-for-age race on March 9 after his stable superstar trialled impressively at Warwick Farm on Monday.

The Canterbury Stakes has also emerged as an option for connections of Imperatriz who could be switched to Sydney if she is weighted out of the Group 1 $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) run at Flemington the same day.

“I see Imperatriz might come up (to Sydney),’’ Pride said. “I hope they do bring her here, it would be a great clash.’’

Butch Cassidy, trained by @GaiWaterhouse1 / Adrian Bott, wins a trial at Warwick Farm on Monday, beating Winning Verse and #TABEverest winner Think About It closed off well into third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/l6FxAyPOuE

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) February 25, 2024

David Ellis, owner of Imperatriz, said he is sweating on the release of Newmarket weights next Monday before confirming the mare’s autumn program. It is expected she will be allocated topweight of 58kg, the same weight all-time great Black Caviar shouldered to win the Newmarket in 2011.

Imperatriz, who hasn’t been beaten since being run down by Artorius in the Canterbury Stakes last year, scored her ninth career Group 1 win and her fourth major of the season when she edged out the Pride-trained Private Eye in the Lightning Stakes.

Ellis said Imperatriz had come through that first-up win so well he has decided against his original race program which was to run her next in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes as five weeks between runs was going to be too long.

This opens the door, albeit slightly, for the clash between Think About It and Imperatriz in the Canterbury Stakes. There is also the option to run the mare in the Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick the same day.

TAB Fixed Odds price assessor have Think About It as early favourite for the Canterbury Stakes at $2.30 with Imperatriz pressing at $2.50 then Golden Slipper winner Shinzo at $6.

Think About It was having his second barrier trial hitout this preparation at Warwick Farm on Monday and after settling midfield, four and five wide without cover, he ran home powerfully under a hold by regular rider Sam Clipperton to finish third, beaten a length by Butch Cassidy and Winning Verse.

Think About It holds off I Wish I Win and Private Eye in The Everest.

“I’m very happy with Think About It, he is coming up really well for the Canterbury Stakes,’’ Pride said.

The trainer said it is conceivable Think About It could go to a new level this autumn despite his phenomenal 2023 racing campaign which resulted in nine consecutive wins including The Everest and dual Group 1 successes in the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap before he was spelled after his third placing in the Winners Stakes.

“Think About It had a tough year last year, he hardly had a break,’’ Pride said.

“He started racing in January and was still going into November. He only had a couple of weeks break the whole time.

“So, he can only be improved by his break over summer and he looks great.’’

Pride also revealed Private Eye, his dual Group 1 winner and two-time Everest placegetter, is also likely to miss the Newmarket Handicap and instead run at Randwick next week.

“I have brought Private Eye back to Sydney for the Challenge Stakes,’’ Pride said.

🟣 Bhima G1 Winner 🟣
The Kiwi Queen does it again 👑 Imperatriz (I Am Invincible x Berimbau) claims victory in the G1 Lightning S. @FlemingtonVRC under @opie_bosson for Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson - her NINTH G1!!

Huge congrats to @teakauracing & her breeders, @RafflesRacing 🏆 pic.twitter.com/FTbyaLcWWA

— Bhima Thoroughbreds (@BhimaTBreds) February 17, 2024

“I don’t want to go to the Canterbury Stakes when we have Think About It going there, I don’t need to have them clash.

“I will keep Private Eye nice and fresh for the Challenge Stakes and that is also the race I have got Mazu ready to return to racing.’’

Pride said he was approached by Royal Ascot officials after the Lightning Stakes hoping to persuade him to bring Private Eye to England in June.

With connections of Think About It and Imperatriz already ruling out an English campaign, Private Eye was next on the Royal Ascot wishlist but Pride said it was most unlikely the gelding would go overseas this year.

“They did ask us about England with Private Eye but I doubt it,’’ Pride said.

“With what there is to gain here, it would be a logistical nightmare. It is not all about the money but I just don’t feel it is the right time for him. We might look at it next year.’’

BETTING

Group 1 Canterbury Stakes, Royal Randwick, March 9

$2.30 Think About It

$2.50 Imperatriz

$6 Shinzo

$11 Buenos Noches, Hawaii Five Oh, Kovalica, Ruthless Dame

$15 Aft Cabin, Coal Crusher, Sunshine In Paris, Zougotcha

#Market supplied by TAB Fixed Odds

Originally published as ‘Hope they bring her’: Trainer Joe Pride wants Imperatriz clash in Group 1 Canterbury Stakes