3 minute read

“Thrown in at the weights” is a term commonly tossed around by racing pundits.

And while it does not always come to fruition on race day, Hard Too Think looked one of the standouts at the handicap conditions in the $100,000 Class 1 race over 1600m this Saturday.

The Stephen Gray-trained five-year-old gelding by All Too Hard is down to take on some handy types but given his form at Group 1 weight-for-age level, carrying 56.5kgs looks a steal.

Ironically - but a point not lost on his astute trainer - it was his stablemate, Kharisma, who helped kept his weight down, given the sprinter tops the ratings with 102 points.

"It's an anomaly of the (handicapping) system but Kharisma is just too darn honest for his own good," explained Gray.

"He has won 10 races but he had to work hard for them through the grades.

"He is definitely better over shorter at this level, but his only Group race placing was over the mile (Group 2 Stewards' Cup in 2021), so you have to give him a run when these races come up.

"We will get a claimer (claiming jockey) on to help at the weights but I haven't decided on who yet."

On the other hand, Hard Too Think  had two Group 1 wins under his belt – the 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) at weight-for-age level, adding on to his 2021 Singapore Derby win at set-weights - and has yet to run a bad race at the elite level, including finishing second in the 2021 Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) behind Singapore's Horse of the Year, Lim's Lightning.

"He's a good horse," continued the understated New Zealander.

"We tried to win the other day (in the Group 1 Kranji Mile), and while we had a couple go past us late, (jockey) Marc (Lerner) gave him every chance to win and he probably just found it a bit short at that level.

"Not taking anything away from (trainers) Jason (Tan) and Steve's (Steven Burridge) horses (Sacred Croix and Mr Malek respectively), but we took him (Hard Too Think) out of his comfort zone and he could have placed if ridden quiet."

With this in mind – and with the aim to go one better in this year's Gold Cup – Gray is flirting with blinkers off for Saturday, but is yet to make a decision.

"I'm going to sleep on that decision," mused Gray.

"Marc will ride him again – he loves this horse and rides him so well – and blinkers off may help him relax. That's important given he goes to 2000m (Class 1 race on July 9) in four weeks' time and then obviously the Queen Elizabeth (II Cup) and the Gold Cup later in the year.

"He's a stayer that's for sure and so are his owners who have been very patient."

But the Kiwi handler was also quick to point out that Hard Too Think would not get any weight relief on Saturday from both Sacred Croix and Mr Malek – who finished second and third respectively behind Lim's Lightning in the Kranji Mile.

"You have to respect those two horses at the weights after what they did in the Mile," Gray emphasised.

"And (trainer) Shane's (Baertschiger) horse (King's Command) will be better with just 51kgs, so it looks a good race."

Gray – who has led in 15 winners in 2022 – has not put all of Saturday's eggs in one basket and expects some of his lesser lights to run good races too.

"Beat The Light (running in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m) is eligible for easier but he had some excuses last start and went okay, so we thought he can have another go at the better prizemoney with no weight and (apprentice jockey) Hakim (Kamaruddin) riding," said Gray.

"It's a bit tougher for Hyde Park (in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1000m) as he needs Class 5 but Laksana (in the $30,000 Class 5 race over 1600m) has been freshened up after his win. He will run well again."

And does Gray think Silkardo can break his maiden status at start 19 in the Maiden race (1600m)?

"I hope so!" laughed Gray.

"We thought he had won the other day.

"He won't go a yard early so he always has to do it the hard way and he's also on the two-week back-up but (apprentice jockey) Iskandar (Rosman) rides him and the long course will suit, so he should go close. He deserves it."

So does Hard Too Think.

And you would imagine the Stephen Gray Racing Stable will be cheering just as hard at both ends on the prizemoney scales.