Derby Contender for So You Think

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 21
Progressive So You Think three year-old Higher Ground is set to make his mark on the upcoming Brisbane Winter Carnival following a tenacious win in the Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate at Randwick on Saturday.



Prepared by Chris Waller, Higher Ground outgunned his stablemate Tangled, who was coming off a last start third in the Group I ATC Australian Derby.

Higher Ground returns for Glyn SchofieldHe won the 2000 metre staying test by a nose taking his overall record to four wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $200,000.

"I like the So You Thinks," said Chris Waller, who indicated the Queensland Derby would be the winter goal for Higher Ground.

"They suit my style of training. He was a deadset superstar and to get some of his progeny is pretty special.

"A big key in horses longevity is not pushing them and as you can see they start developing late in life."

A $210,000 Magic Millions purchase for Debbie Kepitis' Woppitt Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft, Higher Ground is the first winner for Dark Vision, a winning daughter of Encosta de Lago from the family of Group I winners Bonneval, Champagne and St Reims.

Given his pedigree, once can't help but think Higher Ground can be a real force when he gets to Queensland.

Higher Ground is the 11th stakes-winner for So You Think, who will stand at Coolmore a fee of $44,000 this spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Farnan Filly a Milestone Winner for Sir Peter Vela
Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie trained their 200th winner in the blue and white hooped colours of owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela when talented filly Passiflora led all the way in Saturday’s Happy Hire 3YO (1200m) at Wanganui.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 22
Here is the full list of 129 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breednet Family Search – Watch Me Rock
When Watch Me Rock scored a brilliant win as favourite in the Group I WATC Railway Stakes at Ascot on Saturday he became the first G1 winner for his sire Awesome Rock and also the first G1 winner in his immediate family which appears twice in upcoming 2026 yearling sales.
Long Shot Wins Listed Scahill Cup
Five year old Domesday gelding Simply was sent out at the generous odds of 25/1 in the Listed AJ Scahill Cup 2100m at Ascot yesterday and returned a stakes-winner bringing a pedigree update for his baby half-brother by Aquis young gun sire Officiating (USA).
Favourite Salutes in Railway - First G1 Winner for Awesome Rock
The cream rises to the top, so the saying goes - That was never more true than at Ascot yesterday, when WA’s leading jockey, stable and owner all made their presence felt in no uncertain terms - and there was a nice little twist in the tale!
Zoustar 5YO Wins Listed Kilmore Cup
Winner of the Listed Bendigo Golden Mile earlier this year in April, five year-old Zoustar gelding Regal Zeus found winning form again on Sunday to take out the $200,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m).
Winton Cup Winner Sestina - Half-Brother for K1
When local trainer Jo-Anne Dalton put a saddle on Sestina for Sunday’s Gladvale Farms Winton Cup (1400m) at Ascot Park, she expected the $35,000 race to be little more than a pipe-opener ahead of the Cromwell Cup (2030m) next weekend – but the Lonhro mare had other ideas.
Unbeaten Superstar 3YO Wins G2 WA Guineas
It was the biggest win yet in the career of a budding superstar! - Three year old King Of Light continued his blaze of glory across the West Australian turf and made it five wins from five starts when he easily accounted for his rivals in the G2 WA Guineas at Ascot yesterday.
Brave Monarch a Timely Reminder
Brave Smash (Jpn) 3YO Brave Monarch posted his third successive win from just four starts at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday for the Chris and Corey Munce stable offering a timely reminder as to the merits of his sire whose first Yarraman Park conceived offspring will be headed to yearling sales in 2026.
First Winner for Captivant
Kia Ora Stud’s promising young sire Captivant is off the mark with his first winner after Vantorix made a winning debut at Taree on Sunday beating older horses.