Think About It will have to defy history to go back-to-back in the $3m Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap after handicappers hit him with 58kg in the feature event.
Racing Queensland chief handicapper Nathan Bourke released the weights of 126 horses on Monday, with the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win hit with the top weight of 58.5kg.
No horse has carried more than 56kg to victory to win the race since Rough Habit in 1992 with 15 of the last 22 winners carrying 54kg or less.
Think About It carried 54kg to victory 12 months ago, however his Everest-winning sprint, which saw him become one of Australia’s best sprinters left Bourke with no option but to penalise him.
Race favourite Antino ($6) received 54kg, putting him right in the sweet spot to win the race his trainer Tony Gollan has always craved.
His stablemate Freedom Rallyfaces an uphill battle into the race, sitting 61 in the order of entry with 51kg, meaning he will have to win a race to enter the top 40 on ballot order to make him eligible for Australian Bloodstock’s slot that they hold thanks to Dream Hour winning The Gateway during the summer.
Doomben 10,000 surprise packet Stefi Magnetica sits on the cusp of getting a run, sitting 24th on the order of entry, carrying an irresistible 49.5kg.
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