If Sam Clipperton has any nerves over the autumn return of Everest winner Think About It, he isn’t showing them.
In fact, so sure is Clipperton of the horse’s capabilities that he is approaching the Everest winner’s return in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday without a concrete game plan.
“One thing about Think About It is I’ve never gone in with a plan,” Clipperton said.
“It’s think-on-your-feet stuff, ride and react.
“That’s why he’s very easy because he’s so adaptable to whatever situation is in front of him.”
What about the foibles of drawing the outside gate, especially given small fields are notorious for brewing an upset?
Could that have the jockey a little on edge?
“I always look at the positives,” Clipperton said.
“He’s going to be in last and sometimes in small fields, barrier one of eight is trickier than eight of eight. On paper there looks to be good speed.
“I’ve always trusted him and had the utmost faith in his ability.”
It is a faith that has been well earned and a big factor in Clipperton’s laidback approach.
The jockey began his partnership with Think About It in a benchmark race at Warwick Farm in January last year.
A month later, the gelding won his first stakes race and by the end of the Brisbane winter carnival, had stamped himself as a rising star with a brace of Group 1 wins.
Clipperton was convinced it was only a matter of time before Think About It proved himself on racing’s biggest stage and in plundering The Everest (1200m), he did.
Now, another challenge awaits with trainer Joe Pride deviating from a sprint path to concentrate on the Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Clipperton is fully on board.
“I always thought he would run a mile so I’m really confident,” Clipperton said.
“Naturally, you don’t know until you try, but even when I first rode him at Warwick Farm, I always thought he was a Group One horse, but I didn’t think he’d win a Group One until he got to a mile.
“The closest he’s gone is the Stradbroke (Handicap) over 1400 and that was probably one of his best wins.
“It’s a kick off point for him on Saturday and naturally we’re expecting him to go there and be hard to beat, but it’s also a build up to a Doncaster.”
The Canterbury Stakes will be Clipperton’s eleventh race ride on Think It Over, the pair’s only combined defeat coming at the end of the spring when they finished third in the Giga Kick Stakes (1200m).
He is a $1.90 favourite with leading betting apps for Saturday’s feature and also heads futures markets for the Doncaster Mile at $6.