By Tony Megahey
Wily veteran Stephen Jones is tipping a complete form reversal with promising Don’tcha Think ($4 on TAB) into Sunday’s Muswellbrook TAB meeting.
The well-bred So You Think (NZ) three-year-old failed dismally on a heavy 10 Tamworth track when $2.30 favourite early last month after a powerful maiden win there at $1.90.
“After he won like a pretty good horse he had a bad fall on the float, lacerations and bruising, so we had to give him extended time off,” the Scone trainer explained.
“When he’s fresh he’s excitable and he over-raced - the jock (Aaron Bullock) said the same.
“The heavy might have contributed but it’s made all the difference being able to work him regularly again.
“I think he can win the way he’s come back but it is a strong form race.”
It was near a month between runs after the gelding came from rearward to win a 1000m maiden in a sizzling 57.62.
“I’ve always had an opinion of him, he ran time and it showed he was a different horse to last start and he’s back a bit in distance,” Jones added.
Don’tcha Think has 57.5kg again for the prolific regional rider into the Corp Computer Class I, 1000m.
“Next prep he just might make a Country Championships horse.”
With a “forgive” Don’tcha Think might start favourite but it’s a well above average Class I with no less than four last start maiden winners. And from highly respected regional stables.
The 2020 The Kosciuszko winner Brett Cavanough is represented by Miss Espionage ($11) who won running away by three plus lengths at Lismore as well as favourite Sting Jet ($3.40).
And TAB Highway specialist Scott Singleton won a home track maiden at Scone with Storms End ($6.50).
The Michael Mulholland Dubbo stable scored by a big margin at Warren with Jet Empress ($4).
At present Muswellbrook is a soft 5 track in fine weather.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here