2024 The Everest hops Think About It, Stefi Magnetica impress in trial as Mazu wins, Fangirl cruises

Fangirl, Think About It and Stefi Magnetica didn’t need to win to produce pleasing barrier trial efforts at Royal Randwick on Monday.

Reigning The Everest champ Think About It looked terrific in a Randwick trial behind Mazu and Stefi Magnetica on Monday. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Fangirl, Think About It and Stefi Magnetica didn’t need to win to produce pleasing barrier trial efforts at Royal Randwick on Monday.

Mazu, who stubbornly refused to go to the start and held up the 1000m heat for 10 minutes, jumped straight to the front and led throughout to win the trial by a nose from Stefi Magnetica with Think About It a head away third while Fangirl cruised into fifth, just over a length behind the winner.

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Think About It, the reigning The Everest champ, was kept under a very tight rein by jockey Jason Collett but looked sharp and enthusiastic as he closed fast on Mazu near the finish.

Trainer Joe Pride said Think About It would trial again before resuming in the Group 2 $1 million Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 5.

Bjorn Baker has a similar preparation in mind for Stradbroke Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica who impressed with her fast finishing effort wide out.

Fangirl has already had a race this season, resuming with her close third to stablemates Via Sistina and Zougotcha in last month’s Group 1 Winx Stakes.

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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Trainer Chris Waller said Fangirl’s trial was to fine tune the mare’s preparation for her next start, the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 21.

“What the trial means is that I don’t have to gallop Fangirl too hard before the 7 Stakes,’’ Waller said.

“Zougotcha will go there (7 Stakes) as well. This is a $1 million race and it fits in nicely for the Epsom, King Charles and those types of races.’’

Mazu, also from the Pride stable, tested the patience of rider Regan Bayliss and the stewards when he wouldn’t go to the start for the trial.

Mazu refused to go to the barrier clockwise direction this morning. He then cantered around the opposite way and eventually led all the way in his trial pic.twitter.com/dGV6pVdZty

— Luke Marlow (@MarlowLuke) September 8, 2024

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Eventually, Mazu turned around and headed in the opposite direction, going the reverse way up the home straight and cantering around to the 1000m start.

It was out-of-character for the experienced Mazu, a six-year-old gelding who has won nearly $8 million prizemoney, but he ultimately trialled well and could be set to resume in the Group 2 $1 million The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 21.

Originally published as 2024 The Everest hops Think About It, Stefi Magnetica impress in trial as Mazu wins, Fangirl cruises