‘If he brings his A-game, he’ll win’: Trainer Joe Pride’s belief in Think About It ahead of Kingsford Smith Cup

Joe Pride has fired a warning shot to Think About It’s rivals in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup, declaring his Everest champ will win if he brings his A-game.

Think About It wins The Everest.

Trainer Joe Pride has abandoned the failed experiment to stretch Think About It over longer distances and is reverting to sprinting with his stable star to spark a return to winning form in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Think About It hasn’t won since The Everest last year and struggled in three Sydney starts during autumn culminating with his 11th behind Celestial Legend in the Doncaster Mile.

But Pride is adamant Think About It only has to bring his “A-game” to Eagle Farm to deliver a knockout blow to his rivals.

“Honestly, I want to put the autumn behind us,’’ Pride said. “It was a very forgettable three-run preparation.

“We needed to find out if he could run a mile but at this stage of his life it doesn’t seem like it was appropriate for him.

“The analogy I use is that has been sprinting for that long he’s like a fighter who is used to boxing six-eight rounds and when you ask him to go 12 rounds he doesn’t know how to use his energy properly to fight for 12 rounds.

“But Think About It’s a great horse, we all know that, and he has had two runs at Eagle Farm for two impressive wins.

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Think About It at Randwick.

“You have to respect I Wish I Win, he’s a very good horse, but if Think About It turns up with his A-game he will win.’’

In early TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Kingsford Smith Cup, Think About It is second favourite at $4.50 behind I Wish I Win at $3.50 ahead of Tuesday’s final field declaration and the all-important barrier draw.

Pride said it was imperative Think About It draws an inside barrier as the gelding attempts to become the first to go back-to-back in the feature sprint since Buck’s Pride in 1993-94. Falvelon was a dual winner in 2000 and 2003.

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“Some poor barriers and big weights made it difficult for him during the autumn carnival,’’ Pride said.

“It’s important he draws well on Saturday and if he can get a run just in behind the leaders with cover then he will take beating.’’

Pride has called on champion jockey Blake Shinn to ride Think About It for the first time in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

Shinn is making a habit of winning Group 1 races with his first ride on a horse this season including Bois D’Argent in the Doomben Cup last Saturday.

Think About It wins the Premiere Stakes.

During the Sydney autumn carnival, Shinn rode Lady Of Camelot for the first time when she won the Golden Slipper.

Shinn did get the opportunity to put Think About It through his paces in a Warwick Farm barrier trial last week and was impressed with the gelding’s close third to stablemate Dashing Legend.

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“Think About It went nice in the trial, he hit the line well,’’ Shinn said.

“He’s obviously an outstanding horse and I’m looking forward to riding him on Saturday.

“All we need is a good barrier. The track suits, he’s back in distance – this race sets up well for him.’’

Pride also has last start Warwick Farm winner Bullets High contesting the Group 1 $1 million Queensland Derby (2400m) and confirmed he has booked Tyler Schiller for the ride.

Originally published as ‘If he brings his A-game, he’ll win’: Trainer Joe Pride’s belief in Think About It ahead of Kingsford Smith Cup