Joe Pride feels Think About It would have still won The Everest had Imperatriz lined up

Think About It’s trainer Joe Pride questions Imperatriz’s ‘world’s best sprinter’ tag, insisting his star would have had the mare’s measure if they had clashed in The Everest.

Star sprinters Imperatriz (left) and Think About It. Pictures: File

Joe Pride has questioned Imperatriz’s “world’s best sprinter’’ tag, insisting Think About It would have had her measure had the pair clashed in The Everest.

Pride is not in any way denigrating the achievements of Imperatriz, the eight-time Group 1 winner who underscored her sensational talent by winning the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Flemington last Saturday.

However, Pride points out that in winning the Champions Sprint, Imperatriz beat similar horses (the likes of In Secret, Buenos Noches and Espiona) to what Think About It did in The Everest.

And Pride argues Imperatriz did not do it any more impressively than Think About It did.

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Queen of the sprint 👑

The first of the three Group 1s and sprinting bragging rights go to IMPERATRIZ who claims the spoils in the Darley Champions Sprint (1200m).

📽 @10SportAU | #StakesDaypic.twitter.com/4ax2aVpF44

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 11, 2023

Pride feels sure Think About It would have conquered Imperatriz – who was beaten in her only visit to Sydney earlier this year – if the two had faced off in The Everest.

“I think we got denied a really good clash in The Everest,” Pride told Racenet.

“I don’t think he (Think About It) was going to get beaten in The Everest, that was his race.

“I truly believe he would have beaten her.

“When Imperatriz won the other day, she beat the same kind of horses that Think About It has been beating.

“She wasn’t any more impressive than what he was, beating the same horses.”

Everest winner Think About It. Graphic: Katie Burns

Think About It and Imperatriz have never met and there is now a chance they never will.

Think About It will be tried as more of a middle distance horse in the autumn carnival next year, with a race like the Doncaster Mile in his sweet spot.

Pride has no issues with anyone thinking Imperatriz is a better sprinter than Think About It – he just can’t see it himself.

Think About It with a blistering performance in the $20m Everest this morning under a masterful Sam Clipperton ride! 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/7I6RhzWAxT

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 14, 2023

“I can’t sort of see it,” Pride said.

“As it is, it is probably like trying to compare two horses in two different countries.

“Until they meet, everyone is going to have an opinion and that’s fine.

“It might be a question that we will never get an answer to?

“The problem is, Think About It is not going to be on a sprinting preparation next time.

“So, she (Imperatriz) might end up being the best sprinter if he (Think About It) is not going to be sprinting.”

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Champions Sprint winner Imperatriz: Graphic: Katie Burns

Until finishing third in the Giga Kick Stakes, Think About it had reeled off nine consecutive victories in 2023 including The Everest and the Group 1 Queensland winter carnival double of the Stradbroke Handicap and Kingsford Smith Cup.

Pride and his family, including son Brave who is a regular around the stables, will head off on holidays to Japan next week.

While in the Land of the Rising Sun, father and son will head to the track to watch the mighty Equinox race in the Japan Cup.

Originally published as Joe Pride feels Think About It would have still won The Everest had Imperatriz lined up