Trainer Joe Pride reveals Think About It has piled on 20kg of muscle during his summer spell

Trainer Joe Pride says his stable superstar Think About It has piled on 20kg of “muscle” during his summer spell and is much stronger than before he won The Everest last spring.

Joe Pride with Everest champion, Think About It.

The Everest winner Think About It is finally starting to fill out his lean frame and is physically more powerful ahead of his return to racing in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Joe Pride said his stable superstar Think About It has piled on 20kg of “muscle” during his summer spell and is much stronger than before he won The Everest last spring.

“Think About It has put on a bit of ‘beef’ during his break and comes in at about 515kg so he’s certainly bigger and stronger,’’ Pride revealed.

“He’s still a tall, lean horse, always will be, and although he’s an enormous eater, he couldn’t put weight on for a long time.

“But he’s only had 13 starts so he’s still a young horse in that way and is still on the ‘up’. He looks great, he has more condition that he ever has, and it’s mainly muscle.’’

Pride, who could have three starters in the Canterbury Stakes with Coal Crusher and Call Di among entries, said Think About It is ready for the 1300m of Saturday’s weight-for-age sprint.

“Think About It’s had two barrier trials and he has gone super in both, we are really happy with him,’’ Pride said.

Think About It wins The Everest.

“He has been first-up over 1200m in other preparations so 1300m is fine. He has been in work a long time, I have put plenty of work into him.

“It’s exciting to have him back, it’s a big day for him Saturday.’’

The Randwick meeting is also a big day for the Pride stable with the trainer entering Private Eye and Mazu for the Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and Ceowulf in the Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m).

Think About It claims the $20mill @tabcomau Everest 🔥🏇

Congratulations Sam Clipperton and @PrideRacing along with @ProvenTbreds@NewgateFarm GPI Racing

Stable gets first and third with Private Eye filling the minors. I Wish I Win splits them for second#TABEverestpic.twitter.com/Ngtw4e91Pl

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 14, 2023

“Private Eye was terrific first-up (second to Imperatriz in the Lightning Stakes). He led early and surged again late, he was really good through the line,’’ Pride said.

“He’s as tough as nails, the 1000m is no problem for him second-up, and I’ve decided to keep him in Sydney with the likelihood we will get dry tracks through to the TJ Smith Stakes (Randwick, April 6).

“Mazu is having his first start for our stable but his trials have been excellent, he’s showing speed and enthusiasm.

“He won’t have a wet track on Saturday which is his really the ace up his sleeve. but I am expecting him to run very well.’’

Originally published as Trainer Joe Pride reveals Think About It has piled on 20kg of muscle during his summer spell