Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker is confident the decision to remain in NSW for the duration of the spring will prove the right move for star gelding Think It Over.
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The horse was on track to run in the Cox Plate, beaten less than a length by leading contender Verry Elleegant in last week's Group 1 George Main Stakes.
A combination of factors have, however, led to Parker abandoning those plans and focusing instead on the Sydney carnival.
The biggest challenge proved to be coronavirus restrictions, with stable staff unable to travel down to Melbourne with the horse.
Parker had hoped to give Think It Over a gallop on Moonee Valley's unique track prior to the Cox Plate, however it became clear that would not be possible.
The sheer volume of prize money now on offer in NSW also made the decision slightly easier, a direct result of Peter V'landys' push to challenge Victoria's dominance of the spring.
Parker is disappointed his horse won't have the chance to take on Zaaki and Verry Elleegant in Australia's biggest weight-for-age race, however he believes he made the right decision.
"With the current restrictions, the plan was to go down for the Turnbull next Saturday then come back and go back down three weeks later for the Cox Plate," Parker said. "If we did that, the horse would've never seen the track before racing in the Cox Plate.
"Ideally for a Cox Plate prep, you'd give them a couple of track gallops before the race. It would be different if he'd raced at Moonee Valley in the past, but he hasn't.
"With the logistics of getting to Melbourne and back with no staff with him, his owner was quite happy to stay home."
While Think It Over won't be lining up for the $5 million Cox Plate, he will still contest a number of big-money races throughout the spring.
It's a period that will start in the $1 million Group 2 Hill Stakes next Saturday before the gelding attempts to win a second-straight Craven Plate on Everest Day.
Parker will then likely head to the Rosehill Gold Cup on October 30, with a $1 million bonus on offer for a horse that wins both the Craven Plate and Rosehill Gold Cup.
From there, the trainer plans to drop back from 2000m to 1600m and finish Think It Over's spring in the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange on November 20.
"The situation is a lot better than it used to be," Parker said. "Five or ten years ago, you had to go to Melbourne or you couldn't race.
"We'll pretty much do the same prep as we did last year, the Hill then the Craven and into the Rosehill Gold Cup.
"If he runs in The Gong he'll have the top weight but they've got it topped at 62kg. He'll be giving good horses some weight but he probably deserves top weight."
Parker hopes Think It Over won't be his only horse to line up at Rosehill on October 30, the trainer eager to earn a start in the Four Pillars.
Nominations for the $700,000 event close on Friday, with Tampering and Role Play likely to be entered.
The 18 slot holders will then pick their runner from the list of nominations, Parker hoping his horses gain selection for the lucrative race.
"I've put Tampering in the paddock," Parker said. "I'll give him a week-ten days to freshen up so he can go into that race fresh."
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