Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams believes his imported galloper Seawhatyouthink requires more competition to understand what racing is about.
Seawhatyouthink, a six-year-old son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, will be lining up for only his ninth start on Saturday when he runs in the Vale Mahogany Handicap (2500m) at Flemington.
After three starts in France, including a win at Mont-De-Marsan in April 2019, Seawhatyouthink made his Australian debut with a victory at Geelong in September while also collecting the Mortlake Cup (2000m) on October 31.
At his last start, the fifth of his preparation, Seawhatyouthink finished a close third to dead-heaters Silent Sovereign and Just Benjamin over 2000m at Ballarat on November 20.
Williams expects the 2500m on Saturday and the roomy Flemington circuit to be a benefit for Seawhatyouthink.
“He probably gets to a peak now in his preparation, but I do think he takes benefit from a bit of race practise,” Williams said.
“Although he’s not a young horse, he’s very lightly raced and he seemed at Ballarat, around the 600 or 700-metre mark to get a little bit lost.
“It looked like he wasn’t travelling to be in the race, but then he got to the outside and started to letdown and his best work was probably his last 100 metres.
“It was a little bit of a strange run, but he certainly looks like he’s going to be suited to the trip, the big track at Flemington.
“It looks an ideal race for where he’s at this stage of his preparation.”
Williams said Seawhatyouthink had thrived at home after the run.
He said the gelding won’t need to be ridden as far back as he was at Ballarat last time and Dean Yendall should be able to take advantage of a good draw.
Williams also saddles last start Warrnambool maiden winner Royal Fox in the Efficient Living Legends Plate (1400m).
“It will be interesting to see if he can measure up to that grade this time in, but I’m quietly confident he can,” Williams said.
ort Seawhatyouthink heads to town for the first time to run at Flemington.