Care To Think came through his run after a throat operation in great shape and trainer Matt Dunn is anticipating an improved effort in the Listed $150,000 Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Care To Think, above, will run at double figure odds in the Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Care To Think, above, will run at double figure odds in the Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Care To Think was sent off for some throat surgery to correct a breathing problem after finishing near the tail of the field when fourteenth to Santa Ana Lane in the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben during the 2018 Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Dunn gave the five year old a clean bill of health following his first up fifth to I’m A Rippa in the in the Group 3 $200,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 1.

Care To Think was uncharacteristically slow out of the gates in the George Moore Stakes but Dunn was happy with the way the gelding powered to the line under Ryan Maloney.

“His breathing was good last start which is the main thing but he completely bungled the start which is unusual for him,” Dunn told Racing Queensland News Desk.

“The good thing was he ran the equal fastest last 600 metres of the day with Victorem and the quickest last 200 metres of the day.”

Maloney takes the mount again on Care To Think who has drawn barrier eight in the thirteen horse Lough Neagh Stakes field.

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have Care To Think marked at the juicy double figure odds of $12 for the Lough Neagh Stakes well behind the $3.40 favourite Niccanova and Victorem who is on the second line of betting at $4.40.

Niccanova is the winner of his last two starts over the same course and distance as the Lough Neagh Stakes, his latest a half a length victory in the Listed $125,000 Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes on November 24.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.