breednet.com.au

So You Think He Can Win the Derby!

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 26
Darren Weir has had a hot run of 'classic' success in recent weeks and will look to add the Group I BRC Queensland Derby to his tally with exciting staying colt Heavenly Thought, a son of former champion racehorse So You Think.

A last start winner at Sandown over 1800 metres, Heavenly Thought took a big step up in class and distance for this assignment and proved triumphant.

So You ThinkHe scored a determined short neck win over Sepoy gelding Han Xin with the hot favourite Dark Dream a length away in third place.

"It was hard work getting him here. He was quite a handful on the plane on Thursday and being that close to the race we weren't able to use any sedation," Weir's stable foreman Jarrod McLean said.

"He was loud and noisy and kicked and crashed about a bit but it makes it worthwhile when he runs like that."

With three wins and two seconds from 11 starts and prizemoney topping $140,000, Heavenly Thought is a horse on an upward spiral with the Group I BRC Queensland Derby on June 9 his grand final.

"So You Think's really stamped him. He's a cracking individual and being an entire it's an important couple of weeks coming up for him," McLean said.

"Weiry's always had a good opinion of him and you'd like to think there's more improvement to come in the next couple of weeks."

A $120,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Figtree Thoroughbreds draft for Weir and John Foote Bloodstock, Heavenly Thought is a half-brother to former high class Group II winner and Group I placed mare Mimi Lebrock being from good producer God Love It.

Turning 20 this year, God Love It was covered last spring by Spirit of Boom.

Heavenly Thought is the sixth Australian Group winner this season for So You Think, who has had a hot run during the autumn with star performers including his Group I winners Sopressa and D'Argento.

Heavenly Thought is the 13th stakes-winner for 10-time Group I winner and dual Cox Plate hero So You Think, who stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $44,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising Debut Winner – Three-Quarter Brother for MM 2025
Chiming in late with giant strides at the finish was I Am Invincible filly Arriving Home, who made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in the same colours as her Group I winning stablemate Steffi Magnetica.
FBAA Open Letter on the Australian Pattern System
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) is writing to address a matter that impacts the foundation of our industry’s credibility and success: the stagnation of the Australian Pattern system and the concerning attempts to assign unapproved Group race status.
Aussie Hopes Looking Bright in Hong Kong
The three Australian contenders for this Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races all look in great shape leading into the meeting with Grant Courtney getting some great images from the track.
La Crique Chasing Another G1
La Crique hasn’t returned to Trentham since she won the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) as a three-year-old, and three years down the track, the star mare will line up as a leading hope in Saturday’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m).
Russian Revolution Filly Scores at Arawa Park
Elegant Jazz made a strong opening to her three-year-old campaign at Arawa Park on Wednesday, breaking her maiden with a promising performance in the Novara Park 1230.
Vale, Acclamation - Sire of Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior
Influential sire Acclamation has died at age 25, only a few weeks after being officially retired from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland.
Christmas Comes Early for Kiwi Racecaller
In Hong Kong, Christmas comes early for racing fans, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosting their International Races at Sha Tin each December.
4.8 million Irish Oaks winner Leads Record Turnover at Tattersalls December Mares Sale
The extraordinary trade seen at Tattersalls during the October Yearling Sale and last week’s December Foal Sale suggested that something spectacular could be in the offing at the December Mares Sale and so it proved on a day where turnover of 55,168,500 guineas exceeded the previous record for the highest grossing day in European auction history, set at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mares Sa
All Too Hard Sprinter Going Strong
Well-performed speed merchant Babylon Berlin will strip a fitter mare for Saturday’s assignment at Ellerslie.
Interesting Purchase for Laundry Cottage Stud – In Foal to Chaldean
Laundry Cottage Stud is the farm that produced our Cox Plate winner Via Sistina and also Wootton Bassett, one of the hottest sires this year, and they made an interesting purchase during Tattersalls December Mares Sale Day 2 with a great interview from Gina Bryce with her dad Colin Bryce, who co-owns this G1 producing nursery.