‘How is he not in the 12 best sprinters?’: Trainer Joe Pride confident Think About It will secure slot for 2024 The Everest

It’s almost a case of out of sight, out of mind with defending The Everest champ Think About It, but trainer Joe Pride is steadfast in his plan to keep his stable star fresh.

Trainer Joe Pride isn’t wavering from his deliberate strategy with Think About It’s The Everest title defence next month.

As some of the best sprinters in training audition for an Everest slot in the Group 2 $1m The Shorts at Royal Randwick on Saturday, Think About It will be home in his stable box.

It’s almost a case of “out of sight, out of mind” with Think About It but Pride is steadfast in his plan to keep his stable star fresh for the Premiere Stakes in two weeks.

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“There’s 12 Everest spots and if this horse runs up to his best in the Premiere, I mean how is he not in the 12 best sprinters?” Pride said of Think About It.

“I should just shut up, shouldn’t I? Maybe do the (super coach) Wayne Bennett under siege mentality stuff but I enjoy the process of getting to these big races and I always like to speak my mind.

“I’ve been really happy with Think About It and I’m pretty relaxed about it (preparation).”

Think About It forgot how to lose last year as he reeled off nine consecutive wins, culminating in The Everest glory, but the gelding hasn’t won since.

Pride conceded Think About It wasn’t at his best last autumn but felt there were encouraging signs from the six-year-old in a recent barrier trial when a close third to Mazu and Stefi Magnetica.

1⃣ Mazu
2⃣ Stefi Magnetica
3⃣ Think About It

A tight finish to the opening trial at Randwick on Monday featuring @PrideRacing's reigning #TABEverest winner. Behind the placings were the @cwallerracing crew Fangirl, Scarlet Oak and Roots. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/74GY8Qur0w

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 8, 2024

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“It was great just seeing him trial so well,” Pride said.

“There was a bit of a nervous wait for the trial knowing that there was a lot on the line.

“With a lot of horses, when they trial you can see what they’re in for any given preparation by the way they trial and it was just lovely to see him jump out, not pull, just be relaxed in the run and he was really ‘trucking’ to the line.

“He was really composed in his action, he looked beautiful, head arched over just in the right position, he just looked like a Ferrari ready to take off.

“Jason (Collett, jockey) was super impressed. He said the horse gave him a great feel and Jason’s at times is a man of a few words so that was encouraging.”

Think About It won The Everest last year but doesn’t have a slot yet this year. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Pride said has been determined to keep Think About It to The Everest preparation that worked so well last year with the gelding winning the Premiere Stakes first-up then The Everest next start.

“Those first two runs being as it was last year, the Premiere and the Everest, is spot on for Think About It,” Pride said.

“I think that gives him a chance to travel in the run and give his best at the finish. You saw him last year take up a position early in The Everest and that’s where we want to be again.”

Originally published as ‘How is he not in the 12 best sprinters?’: Trainer Joe Pride confident Think About It will secure slot for 2024 The Everest