The
last crop of foals by ill-fated Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) will turn
three at the end of this season and may provide a fitting finale to a wonderful
career with a debut juvenile winner at Canterbury today showing the promise of
classic success in the future.
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, two year-old colt Thinkin' Big has
his connections thinking just that after scoring a stylish half neck win on debut
over 1100 metres, a distance well short of what may ultimately prove his best.
He showed good tactical speed to travel in second place and was strong to the
line for Blake Shinn.
"He's a full brother to our Group III winner Stampede and to do what he's done
today over this distance augers very well for his future," said Adrian Bott,
who indicated Derby goals next season were in the pipeline for the promising
colt.
Thinkin' Big was bred and retained to race by Peter Dunn of Dodmark
Thoroughbreds and was foaled at Coolmore.
He is the second winner for classy Tale of the Cat (USA) staying filly Nothin Leica
Cat, who was second in the Group I BRC Queensland Oaks and is from a half-sister
to Group II winner I Am a Ripper.
Nothin' Leica Cat has a weanling filly by So You Think and was covered last spring
by American Pharoah (USA).