Think About It continued his incredible rise to fame with The Everest now firmly in sight this spring for the Joe Pride-trained star after his bullish Stradbroke Handicap 2023 win in Brisbane.

Think About It (pictured in Sydney) was too good again dominating the 2023 Stradbroke Handicap results at Eagle Farm. Photo: Steve Hart.

A winner of nine of his 10 career starts now the So You Think four-year-old backed-up from his weight-for-age Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) victory at Eagle Farm a fortnight back to salute for the punters with a stylish success in this year’s Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).

“I think I’ve waited a long time for a horse like this, he’s pretty amazing,” Pride told Sky Thoroughbred Central.

“The way he’s gone through the grades. It was a really special win today see him draw away from them and he was never going to get beaten.

“I’m a bit lost for words.”

Proving a true talent Think About It was settled back mid-field throughout in one of the country’s premiere handicap races before hitting the front on the straight and drawing away for a big win.

Brave in second with the top weight from the outside gate was Rob Heathcote’s consistent local champion Rothfire ($16) off an on-pace run throughout, while the inexperienced three-year-old Hawaii Five Oh ($5) was good on just 49.5kg getting up into third for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott.

But all honours were with the Stradbroke winner Think About It, ridden to victory in the event by Sam Clipperton, who looks to have the spring majors in the palm of his hand.

“He’s just been able to keep climbing,” Pride added.

“This is the first time I haven’t put him up in grade from one run to the next and that was going from a Group 1 to a Group 1.

“That was amazing.”

The horse is already secured a spot in the $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October with Henry Field’s Newgate Farm securing the majority share of GPI Racing’s slot and locking in Think About It last week.

“Bring on anything for this horse,” Pride said.

“I just don’t know where his ceiling is.

“I would love to see how far he would run. I think he’ll easily run a mile.

“But, first thing’s first, The Everest slot in the spring. It’s hard to imagine him not running well.”

Following on from The Everest Pride seems keen to get Think About It up over more distance.

“I think he’s (So You Think) a fantastic stallion to state the obvious,” Pride said.

“I’ve trained him (Think About It) as a sprinter so far, but that’s not to say he can’t run further.”

Think About It is the third horse to secure a slot in The Everest field joining the reigning champion Giga Kick and last year’s third place-getter Mazu.

Current all-in 2023 The Everest odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au have Think About It into $8 and are available in full by clicking here.

2023 Stradbroke Handicap Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.