Proud Parker Chasing Royal Double
Trainer Kerry Parker has had few prouder moments on a racecourse than watching Think It Over cap his comeback from a long absence with a trademark gutsy win in the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m).
In a repeat of his famous Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory 18 months ago the gelding surged to run down Zaaki and it's left Parker eyeing a royal double in next month's Group 1 $5m King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on Everest Day.
Think It Over sustained a tendon injury after his win at The Championships in 2022 and while he'd been competitive in two runs back this spring it was important to Parker to have him back a winner.
"Have a look at the field, that was as Group 1 as you get,'' Parker said.
"To get him back and get him to win like that is sensational. You don't want him just filling the placings, you want to win one.
"He'll have nice fresh legs to come into the King Charles. He is family and I'm absolutely thrilled to get the job done."
Think It Over is a $9 chance with TAB in the King Charles, with dual Doncaster winner Mr Brightside the $3 favourite.
Stablemate Hope In Your Heart will head straight into the $1.5m TAB Epsom on September 30, Parker said she will either trial on Tuesday or gallop at Kembla next Saturday.
Import's Fine Metropolitan Rehearsal
All eyes will be on what penalty impressive Kingston Town Stakes winner Just Fine receives for the Group 1 Metropolitan after he confirmed his stance as a rising staying talent with a runaway victory in near track record time.
The gelding, formerly owned by His Majesty King Charles, is a micro-ownership horse and had a host of owners on course to cheer him to a 1-3/4 length win in the Group 3 over Wyong Cup winner Benaud and Montefilia.
He has just 50kg in the Metropolitan.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott said it's exciting to think what Just Fine could achieve this season.
"He's made a huge statement in his two starts. He's a very nice, progressive horse so there's a lot of upside there,'' he said.
"The manner in which he won today off pressure a long way from home and to quicken off that the way he did, he certainly looks to be well above average.
"He was nice and forward for his first-up run but natural improvement under the conditions here in Australia, he's still open to a bit more.
"He's come a long way very quickly which is great to see and a great problem to have."
The win saw Just Fine firm to $3.50 favourite for the Metropolitan (2400m) on September 30.
Derry Confirms Kosciuszko Claims
Has Derry Grove emerged as a live chance in next month's $2 million The Kosciuszko?
The flashy galloper made a compelling case with another runaway TAB Highway (1000m) win at Randwick and the victory under 61kg earned high praise from jockey Nash Rawiller.
Despite sitting wide, the Matthew Dunn-trained five-year-old stormed down the middle under a hold from Rawiller and clocked a slick 32.77 for his last 600m (Punter's Intelligence) in the process.
"I made it pretty clear he was up to them last time I rode him and he's just stamped his authority there today,'' Rawiller said.
"Full credit to the team, he's obviously had issues throughout his career but he's just in a rich vein of form. The 1200m doesn't worry me (in The Kosciuszko), he has a month to hold that same form."
The win, over talented mare Once Again My Girl, saw Derry Grove firm into $9 in TAB's Kosciuszko market behind Opal Ridge ($3.50).
Dunn was set to have two Kosciuszko runners but injury forced the retirement of stablemate Coco Rox, leaving one slot to be filled to complete the 14 horse field.
Close Call For Eagle Bound Kibou
The margin wasn't as comfortable as co-trainer Adrian Bott would have hoped but he was pleased to kick talented four-year-old Kibou's Golden Eagle campaign off with a win at Randwick.
Kibou tracked a frenetic speed set by Pioneer River and was left a sitting shot but had enough in hand to stave off a closing Garza Blanca with Kayobi running into third.
Bott said the gelding will run again in two weeks in a Benchmark 94 over 1200m before tackling the $1m Silver Eagle (1300m) on Everest day.
The first three home in that race are exempt from ballot in the $10m James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) run at Rosehill on November 4.
"He's going to improve over a bit further, it's been a checkered path to get here but he's a talented horse on his day,'' he said.
"It wasn't an easy task coming here today, I didn't mind the shape of the race there.
"They were running along early but he was in a nice spot chasing a hot speed. Being first-up he was a little vulnerable late but he had enough to hold on."
The win saw Kibou firm to a $21 chance in TAB's all-in Golden Eagle market.
