Think Like Paddy carries big weight to Highway victory

Under a 60.5kg topweight, Think Like Paddy (NZ) (So You Think) showed talent and courage to prevail in a thrilling finish to Saturday’s A$120,000 TAB Highway Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle.

The five-year-old gelding brought a consistent formline into the race, having followed a win at Murwillumbah in August with a second at Eagle Farm, fourth at the Gold Coast, fifth at Eagle Farm and last-start fourth at Randwick. Jockey Nash Rawiller was in the saddle for the last of those performances and was keen to keep the mount on the Matthew Dunn-trained runner on Saturday.

Rawiller took a patient approach on Think Like Paddy and settled near the back of a strung-out field. Coming around the home turn, he still had only a couple of his 15 rivals behind him.

But then Rawiller began to weave his way through the pack, and Think Like Paddy sprinted smartly under his big weight and burst into contention six off the fence with 250m to run.

Think Like Paddy dashed into a clear lead, then hung on bravely to beat the flying finishes of Santatime (Showtime) and Street Force (Cosmic Force).

From 21 career starts, Think Like Paddy has now recorded four wins and five placings and has earned A$185,170.

Think Like Paddy was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan and is by So You Think out of the Tavistock mare Sunny Rose (NZ).

Herself a winner and fourth in the Gr.2 Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m), Sunny Rose is a full-sister to Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Tavago. Their dam, the Stravinsky mare Sara Ann, also produced stakes placegetters Sanstoc, Sweet Anna and Kosgei.

Think Like Paddy was a $180,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where he was a member of the Carlaw Park draft.