Matthew Dunn is confident that his sparingly raced three-year-old, Silent Thinker, has the potential to develop into a Saturday-class performer, but for now, he is content with current achievements.
The gelding is slated to run in the Barrier Reef Pools Handicap (1350m) at Ipswich on Friday for his third career start, seeking to build on a maiden win achieved with an all-the-way effort at the track earlier this month. Prior to that, he finished third on debut at the Gold Coast, and Dunn has noted continued improvement from the horse since his first race.
“We had to ride him really aggressively last start from a bad barrier and it’s probably not the way to ride him. He’s drawn a bit better on Friday,” Dunn stated. “I think he’s a decent horse. He’s got a good future, and he’ll get out over a bit further yet. If he can get up to a mile, which I think he will, he’s a Saturday horse for sure. His pedigree suggests he will.”
Silent Thinker, a $50,000 purchase from Inglis’ December online sale, is by the well-regarded stallion So You Think and is out of a mare by Fusaichi Pegasus. Ben Thompson, who rode him to victory last start, is booked again, and Dunn anticipates Silent Thinker will be the horse to beat.
“He’s doing a good job, and he will be hard to beat again. He was good last start,” he concluded. Chris and Corey Munce will saddle up Exceed Perfection, a former Sydney galloper, who makes his debut for their stable. This five-year-old has only one win from 23 starts, but has recorded 10 minor placings, showcasing consistent form in NSW provincial races. He carries a suitable weight after apprentice Courtney Bellamy’s two-kilogram claim, although barrier 13 is a disadvantage.
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