Think About It looks set to enter Saturday's $20 million TAB Everest as the favourite - and it's hard to argue given the form shown by the talented five-year-old star this year.
With 10 wins from 11 career starts, including an impressive two Group 1 triumphs, the gelding looks well-placed heading into the feature event at Randwick and has received plenty of support in the betting markets.
Since the official barrier draw on Tuesday night, Think About It has firmed into outright favouritism ahead of the likes of I Wish I Win and Private Eye, making it a popular runner among the punters and experts.
After a tremendous showing in the time-honoured Stradbroke Handicap back in June, the versatile Joseph Pride-trained galloper still has plenty of upside heading into the second-half of the spring carnival.
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Think About It jockey Sam Clipperton confident ahead of Everest
Speaking to The Sporting News prior to the blockbuster 1200m race, successful jockey Sam Clipperton expressed his excitement at jumping on board Think About It once again in front of a packed Sydney crowd.
“He’s a very exciting horse - I think he’s had 11 starts for 10 wins, and he’s won eight in a row," Clipperton said.
"It’s gonna be awfully hard for him to keep that picket fence going on Saturday, but I think he is a horse that’s certainly good enough to do it.
"He’s a horse that I still don’t know where his ceiling is yet and I still don’t know what his pet distance is… I think he’s got plenty of gears. They’re gonna need to be pretty good to beat him on Saturday.
"Think About It is the sort of horse where you need to think on your feet when you’re riding him and just ride and react… he’s very good and if we have any luck, he’s gonna be right there when the whips are cracking.
"He’s very tradesmanlike – he doesn’t win by a big margin. At the end of the day, all you can do is win and that’s what he does… he always seems to find a way."
Clipperton admitted there were a number of potential challengers to the favourite in the country's most exciting racing event, but is confident Think About It has enough class to get the job done.
“I think you’ve got to respect the whole field… they’re all in the race for a reason," he told The Sporting News.
"I Wish I win for me is the natural standout, he’s an exceptional horse and he’s going to be mighty hard to beat. Also an old hard-head, so to speak, is Private Eye and I feel he’s a horse that’s in career-best form.
"Then you’ve got the three-year-olds Shinzo and Cylinder, they’ve got a huge weight advantage… the older weight-for-age horses have to carry 58.5kg.
"I respect all of them, but I think they’re gonna have to have a few gears to challenge Think About It... it’s his stiffest test to date, but he’s gonna make his presence felt."
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