Thinkin’ Big Following in the Footsteps of Nothin’ Leica Dane

Media Release - Saturday October 20
The last crop of foals by ill-fated Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) are three year-olds and they may provide a fitting finale to a wonderful stud career with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained colt Thinkin' Big now favourite for the Victoria Derby following an outstanding win in the Group III MRC Caulfield Classic on Saturday.



A full brother to Group III winner Stampede, Think' Big was an unlucky third at his last run in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes, but more than made amends in this 2000 metre assignment.

Thinkin' Big - images Grant CourtneyPerfectly rated in front by Tim Clark, he powered away from his overmatched rivals to win as he pleased by a widening three lengths taking his overall record to four wins from six starts with prizemoney in excess of $480,000.

"He's a lovely horse," said Tim Clark.

"He's so easy to do anything with and for his first go at Caulfield he handled it so well. His attitude is his best attribute, he just wants to work with you."

Thinkin' Big was bred and retained to race by Peter Dunn of Dodmark Thoroughbreds and was foaled at Coolmore.

He still holds an entry for the Melbourne Cup with his co-trainer Gai Waterhouse keen to wait and see how he comes out of this race before making any decisions.

"He'll stay all day," she said.

"On his dam's side he's from the family of Nothin' Leica Dane and he is so much like him."

Waterhouse trained Nothin' Leica Dane to win the Caulfield Classic (Norman Robinson Stakes) in 1995 before he went on to win the Victoria Derby and then finish second in the Melbourne Cup won by Doriemus.

Thinkin' Big 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 Oak and is from a half-sister to Group II winner I Am a Ripper.

Nothin' Leica Cat has a yearling filly by So You Think and has foaled this spring producing a colt by American Pharoah (USA).



Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup
The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Toronado Winner Sign of Things to Come
So You Think and Dundeel have set a high standard for sire sons of the late Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral (IRE) with Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (IRE) also showing the promise of good things to come after making a strong start to the new season with his fifth winner since August 1 at Sale on Thursday.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Oaks Winner Strikes Form at Valley
Quality High Chaparral (IRE) mare Princess Jenni won the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks last season at just her sixth start and showed she will be a force this spring when capturing the Group II MVRC Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Stampede Runs Then Into The Ground in Colin Stephen
Stampede has been out of the winner’s circle since October last year but when the son of High Chaparral (IRE) is gifted an easy run in front, as he did in Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Randwick, he proves very difficult to get by.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.