Think Music turns on masterclass run at Yarra Valley

Because the horse’s two wins and a third in its past three starts for Selman have ensured there will be hard feed for every horse in the trainer’s small team for the next three years.

A $100,000 yearling Selman snapped up online for $4000 (including delivery), Think Music has collected the better part of almost $30,000 in the space of three weeks — and is showing no signs of slowing down.

After landing Selman his first win as a trainer on January 3 at Benalla (and her second win in 28 starts), she ran an unlucky third at Wangaratta on January 17 before Selman backed her up after six days at Yarra Valley on Saturday.

The mare again turned on a front-running masterclass to lead the field from go to whoa in the $22,000 Alex ‘Al Paz’ Palazzolo Handicap over 1514m.

With Chelsea Hall back in the saddle, Think Music hit the ground running and had taken the lead before the other seven horses knew what was happening.

“When I saw she had drawn barrier one I didn’t want to come out and say publicly the win was a given; but I was pretty sure she would be seriously hard to beat,” Selman said.

“And I’m over the moon with the result; I had told Chelsea to try and take it from the start and if she did then to put some real distance between them and let them chase.

“She did, but they couldn’t; and even when the race caller decided she looked a bit wobbly, she wasn’t; she even kicked again in the straight and it was as comfortable a run from the barrier to the finish line.”

Selman said despite not winning at Wangaratta on January 17, it was the horse that made it clear to him she was still good to go again.

He said she had so much pent up energy he simply had to find her somewhere else to burn it off.

“She was jumping out of her skin around the farm and crying out for somewhere to race,” Selman said.

“She was eating everything put in front of her and even after I took her for a swim you could see she really wanted to run.

“So even though it was a short break I just had to give in to her.”

Bought as a future broodmare because of her outstanding pedigree — sired by dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, her breeding is filled with legendary names including Danehill, Northern Dancer, High Chaparral and Nijinsky — Think Music is now adding to her value by actually winning races.

At three from 30 starts she is also showing how well she has responded to her new stable.

“The idea was I would have a bit of a play with her while I wait for my younger horses to come through,” Selman said.

“I think the complete change of environment has really worked for her — instead of being in a small box she is now in a very open environment and is relishing being able to trot and gallop when she likes.

“My team also play a big role in her revival — trackworkers Kylie, Brit and Gracie, Kellie who comes to the track with her and Shellie, who does a lot of the work at home — and they take a real load off my shoulders.”

Selman also laughed about the horse’s 5/1 starting price at the weekend. It was a far cry from the 90/1 offered before her Benalla win at the start of the month.

“I did have a few dollars on that, it also bought quite a bit of hard feed — it makes it so much better when you’re not dipping into your own cash reserve for feed,” he said.