KERRY Parker's Think It Over can bounce back from last weekend's blow at the Doncaster Mile when he returns to Randwick, chasing his second Group 1 win this Saturday.
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The five-year-old gelding was a late scratching for the prestigious 1600-metre race after suffering abrasions in the float on the way to the track.
While it was a disappointing day for Nowra-born trainer Parker, he has now turned his attention to Saturday's $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m.
However, the Group 1 star drew a tricky barrier five on Tuesday.
He has also been given no favours at the weights, with 59 kilograms, compared to 52.5 for the Doncaster Mile.
"It's an exciting opportunity. He doesn't meet them good like he did last weekend in the Doncaster or anything, he meets the A graders, and he meets them at weight for age," Parker said.
"It's not as if he gets in as good as he did with the Doncaster, but these things happen.
"That was a disappointing day and we'll just press on for Saturday.
"He has won a Group 3, the Craven Plate, weight for age (over) 2000 metres.
"It's just that now he's got to go three weeks from the 1500 to the 2000, and back up to weight for age again against the A graders.
"But we'll go there and do battle, and fingers crossed."
Parker confirmed Think It Over would be ridden by jockey Brenton Avdulla, who rode the gelding to third place in last year's $1m The Gong at Kembla Grange.
"He rode him at The Gong and he did ride him earlier in his barrier trials.
"He went out of his way to ride him at Warwick Farm and Kembla trials in his lead up to this preparation while 'Bossy' [Glen Boss] was in Melbourne," he said.
"It's great to reward him with this opportunity."
Think It Over is around the $26 mark for the Saturday's race and will stand with some racing heavweights, including Chris Waller's Verry Elleegant ($2.60) and William Haggas' Addeybb ($2.70).
However, Parker said his gelding had enjoyed a "beautiful preparation".
"You win a Group 1 and you're pretty happy in any year, let alone a prep," he said.
"We look forward to Saturday and seeing if we can get amongst it."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
