Blake Shinn will make the trip to Sydney to partner Think About It in a barrier trial as he prepares for his first race ride on the Everest winner.
Sam Clipperton has been the gelding’s regular jockey over the past 15 months, but connections decided to make a change following a disappointing Sydney autumn carnival campaign.
Trainer Joe Pride confirmed the Victorian-based Shinn would have his first sit aboard Think About It in an 800m trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, ahead of the gelding’s bid to defend his Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) title at Eagle Farm on June 1.
“He trials on Tuesday and Blake Shinn is going to come up and ride him,” Pride said.
“He’s off to the races for the Kingsford Smith and he’s super.”
Think About It raced three times during the Sydney carnival, his best result a second to Lady Laguna in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
He had a tough run from a wide draw when fifth in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) before finishing down the track at his first test over 1600m in the Doncaster Mile.
The five-year-old will be restricted to sprints in Brisbane with the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), which he captured last year, also on his agenda.
While the Sydney autumn didn’t yield the results Pride had hoped for with Think About it, he said he hadn’t lost faith in the gelding and didn’t consider pulling the plug on his preparation.
“Not really, he’s only had three runs and everything went wrong,” Pride said.
“He’s back to a track (Eagle Farm) he is two from two at, and if I stuck him in the paddock now I’d be giving him an eight or nine week break when he doesn’t look like he needs it.
“If he doesn’t go any good in this, I’ll give him a proper break, but I think he’ll be fine. The signs he’s showing at home are excellent.”