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By Ray Hickson

For the first time this season trainer Kerry Parker is sending Think It Over into battle with the fingers crossed.

Trainer Kerry Parker (Pic: Bradley Photos).

He can be confident the six-year-old is in form and in good shape but he can’t be certain he’ll relish the likely heavy ground in the Group 1 $1.5m Kia Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Newcastle on Monday.

While it’s been two years since Think It Over was tested beyond 2000m, and he didn’t disgraced himself at 2400m and 2600m, you could argue he’s a better horse now so Parker said the timing is right to give him that test. He just wishes it wasn't on a heavy track.

“It helps me set up where I go for the spring, it gives me a few more options,’’ Parker said.

“There’s other reasons why we run in this, because I went to Melbourne it still maps okay for going two weeks apart.

“He’s got a bit of confidence out of that second-up heavy run behind Verry Elleegant, he stuck on all right in ground he doesn’t like and the 2400m on a slower tempo will help him be on the bit for longer.

“Going off the Randwick run in the heavy that gives me confidence he will hold his own. As far as winning it goes I’d prefer it to be a bit drier.”

Think It Over, $4 with TAB on Thursday, made a booming start to his campaign with a slashing Apollo Stakes (1400m) win on a good track before that fourth in the Chipping Norton over a mile on a heavy 10.

He arrives at the Tancred on the back of a second placing behind Duais, a rival again this weekend, in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) where Parker said he got a little lost racing in the reverse direction for the first time.

“He was a little aggressive into the first turn then he looked to relax a bit too well in the running,’’ he said.

“He didn’t travel up on the bit. All in all I thought it was a good run, I thought the other mare was cherry ripe. I don’t think we are cherry ripe yet.

“But no excuses we were beaten by a better horse on the day.

“The fact he takes a while to wind up is where Randwick suits him, he’s got such a long stride. On a heavy track he doesn’t completely get to that long stride, he’s still going through but not getting the benefit he’s got with that stride.”

Another shot at the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in two weeks is very much on the radar, he ran fourth behind Addeybb last year and has since consolidated his place in the top echelon.

Parker’s day kicks off in the Midway Handicap (1300m) with honest galloper Tampering who will be first-up since November and without a trial, though that was the case last time in too.

“He’s been in work for a while and was ready to trial three weeks ago and they kept postponing, he’s too far forward to give an 800m trial to now,’’ he said.

“He’s very honest, he’ll turn up and put himself handy in the race and do what he does.”

Think It Over's fourth in the Chipping Norton

Hope In Your Heart earned a start in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) with her solid second in the Kembla Grange Classic at Goulburn two weeks ago.

The filly held her own in the Group 1 Surround Stakes second-up and Parker said there were encouraging signs from an Oaks perspective up to the mile last start.

“She ticked a box there at Goulburn, she got through the heavy track well and really finished the race off,’’ he said.

“This is a very strong race, I thought if she ran well in the Kembla Classic this was a nice race to go to next.

“She just needs little things to go right. I think she’s a bit better with some clear air around her, she lacks a bit of confidence to go through them.”

She’s a $23 chance with TAB on Thursday in the Vinery and $18 in the all-market for next month’s Group 1 $1m The Star Australian Oaks (2400m).

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting