Assume It Over will go down within the document books as one of many best ever boil-over winners after claiming Saturday’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes – a race many regarded to be one of the best of the century, if not all-time.
The 2000m staying characteristic attracted an elite subject comprising of final 12 months’s Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, final fortnight’s All-Star Mile winner Zaaki, and last-start Group 1 winners Montefilia, Duias, and Anamoe, however as an alternative it was Kerry Parker’s six-year-old upsetting the lot at a whopping $41 price ticket.
The race was run as many anticipated with Zaaki pushing ahead beneath Jamie Kah, who led the sector rounding the flip earlier than issues acquired very attention-grabbing because of the techniques of Nash Rawiller.
The successful jock drew clear from midfield however as an alternative selected to shift out to the extensive operating rail – a transfer that proved the distinction as Assume It Over drew stage with Zaaki with 50m to spare.
Assume It Over turned the primary double-digit winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes since Dependable Man in 2013. Picture: Steve Hart.
A late lunge on the line noticed the pair come out on high, and when requested on his choice to defy the sample of the day, Rawiller stated it was all a plan.
“I trotted down the surface fence going to the boundaries earlier within the day and I believed I’ll maintain this up my sleeve for later,” Rawiller informed Sky Racing.
“We simply tried to maintain him in clear floor and I believed he was going to run second, however he hit a recent patch of grass and away he went.”
Assume It Over had loads of assist final day trip within the Tancred Stakes however was by no means actually an element after being held up on the high of the straight.
His heavy observe kind and the category of Saturday’s subject defined the worth on provide, however with three wins over 2000m to his identify – and a runner-up to Duais within the Australian Cup the beginning prior – there’s no query he might have been over the percentages.
“The explanation why he was odds like that’s the circumstances and it’s only a humorous factor the way it labored,” Rawiller went on to say.
“Once I straightened I believed ‘it’s value a go’ to get to the surface. I simply felt it’s the place the ambulances drive and all of the tractors run up the surface fence. For my bloke it was like going from a heavy 9 to gradual 6 which he can deal with. When he can deal with the observe he does that, he’s an excellent horse.”
The surprises didn’t cease there as Mount Popa went on to seize a spot paying $10,00m whereas Zaaki was unfortunate to be denied a fourth Group 1 however actually misplaced no admirers racing on heavy going for the primary time.
Sadly, doubt now surrounds race-favourite Verry Elleegant’s future.
The 11-time Group 1 winner seemed headed for a visit to France to contest the Prix De L’arc De Triomphe later in October ought to she have gained on Saturday, however retirement might now be an choice for Chris Waller’s mighty mare.
Questions additionally encompass Anamoe’s efficiency after the growth Godolphin colt was overwhelmed 13 lengths.
Tommy Berry stated after the race that the son of Road Boss by no means dealt with the heavy going and was misplaced confidence between the 400m mark.
The entire 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes ending order may be considered right here.
