Ageless warrior Think It Over ready for Apollo Stakes showdown against Fangirl and Cascadian

Fangirl is the favourite for the Apollo Stakes ahead of Think It Over but one factor could tip the scales the other way on Saturday.

Think It Over, Cascadian and Fangirl, three of the nation’s most enduring elite racehorses, meet in a comeback clash for the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The talented trio have been top level weight-for-age horses for years now and they also share another interesting statistic – each is entrenched in the nation’s all-time top 30 stakes earners which is a reflection of their big-race consistency and the prizemoney explosion of recent years.

Godolphin’s Cascadian, a rising 10-year-old, has amassed more than $8.4m and is 19th on the all-time list behind mighty mare Winx with $26.4m.

Think It Over is also in the veteran class and although the eight-year-old’s career has been punctuated by serious injury, he has still managed to collect $7.8m which ranks him 26th on the prizemoney list.

Fangirl is the youngest of the trio with trainer Chris Waller suggesting the mare has strengthened further and is at her physical peak.

She is already 29th on the prizemoney rankings with $7.3m.

In early TAB betting, Fangirl is the $2.30 favourite with Think It Over at $7 and Cascadian $13.

With some rain around Sydney on Thursday, the Randwick track rating is likely to be in the soft range which advantages Think It Over more so than Fangirl.

Think It Over won the inaugural 7 Stakes last spring in an amazing comeback from injury. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Think It Over appreciates the “sting” out of the track and is pleasing trainer Kerry Parker in his build-up to his return.

“I’m looking forward to the race, it’s exciting to get him back to the track,’’ Parker said.

“Everything has gone ahead as good as gold with his preparation going into Saturday.’’

Think It Over – and Cascadian – is attempting to become the oldest Apollo Stakes winner.

Parker’s stable star won the race two years ago before training on to score that spectacular win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes when he came down the outside rail to run down Zaaki.

But a tendon injury kept Think It Over sidelined for 18 months after that race before the gelding made a remarkable comeback last spring when he had a four-start campaign highlighted by his win in the inaugural 7 Stakes, defeating Zaaki and Fangirl.

“I wasn’t sure if we would even get him back … so to do what he did in the spring was great,’’ Parker said.

“He deserved a good break after that and I’m really happy with the way he has come back this time in work.

“I believe he is pretty much the same horse as he was two years ago,’’ Parker said.

“Of course, he’s an eight-year-old now but he is going about his trials and trackwork really well. In his last trial, he hit the line with real gusto.

“Whether he is as sharp as he once was, we will find the answers to those questions on Saturday.’’

Trainer Kerry Parker hugging jockey Nash Rawiller after Think It Over won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2022. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Parker said it is imperative that Think It Over’s regular rider Nash Rawiller is in the saddle on Saturday.

“No doubt, both Nash and Think It Over are very competitive and I think that shows on the track,’’ the trainer said.

“Some horses and jockeys just click like they do. The jockey gets confidence in the horse and then the horse responds.

“We see it every day with our trackwork riders, who suits certain horses.’’

Parker confirmed Think It Over will remain in Sydney for the autumn carnival with the ultimate aim being the Group 1 $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 13.

“My plan is to run him next in the Verry Elleegant (formerly Chipping Norton) Stakes (1600m) and then either the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) or the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on the same day,’’ Parker said.

“Then all going well we would like to get Think It Over to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes again.’’

Meanwhile, Parker revealed his top-class mare Hope In Your Heart is still recovering after suffering a nasty leg wound in a barrier trial incident at Warwick Farm last month.

“She has always been a hot, temperamental filly and at the trials she was feeling a bit too well, she lashed out and cut her near-side hind leg,’’ Parker said.

“The wound needed some stitches but she is walking ‘sound’ and seems fine.

“When the stitches come out, then the owner has a decision to make – do we miss the carnival, try to get back at the end of the carnival and look to Brisbane, or maybe retire her to be broodmare. She has been very good to us and we will look after her.’’

Originally published as Ageless warrior Think It Over ready for Apollo Stakes showdown against Fangirl and Cascadian