Oaks Winner for So You Think

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 5
Former champion racehorse So You Think added a fourth Group I winner to his tally when the Darren Weir trained filly Sopressa scored a determined neck win in the Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday.

A maiden winner at Kyneton just three starts ago, Sopressa announced herself as a serious player when scoring a resounding four length win in the Group III SAJC Laelia Stakes two weeks ago.

So You ThinkPitted against stronger opposition in the Oaks and stepped out to 2000 metres, Sopressa rose to the challenge to claim a popular win for Harry Coffey, who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

"It's amazing and I'm speechless," Coffey said after the race.

"He (Weir) has probably wondered at stages if I would be able to deliver on the day with what I've been through because I can remember him visiting me in hospital when I was a little kid.

"My family would be so proud."

Weir was thrilled to prepare Coffey's first Group I winner.

"I guess it's a dream come true for Harry and also for myself to be able to give Harry his first Group I winner," Weir said.

"The Coffey family has been unbelievable to me all the way through my career. That's how I got into horses, through Harry's old man (Austy Coffey).

"I've known Harry ever since he was born, and I've followed his career and his illness as well. It's an amazing story."

A $70,000 Inglis Great Southern Weanling purchase for Dowling Park from the Bucklee Farm draft, Sopressa runs for a big group of owners and has three wins and four placings from 10 starts with prizemoney in excess of $430,000.

Bred by Cathy Webb and Ken Dean, Sopressa is the fifth winner from Group II winning Weasel Clause mare Hidden Strings, who was covered last season by Scat Daddy's brilliant son No Nay Never (USA).

The current yearling from Hidden Strings, a colt by Warhorse made $60,000 at the Inglis VOBIS Gold Sale last month.

Sopressa is the fourth Group I winner for So You Think, joining D'Argento, Inference and La Bella Diosa.

The dual Cox Plate winner stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $44,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.
Well Bred Mare Salutes South Africa
A half-sister to Group I winners Maid of Heaven and Castelvecchio, Group III winning Redoute's Choice mare Mirrasalo produced her second winner this week when Maningi Indaba scored at Durbanville on Wednesday in South Africa.
Best On Breeding
The High Chaparral (IRE) stirp enjoyed a day out at Caulfield on Wednesday with two of his sons, Toronado (IRE) and Monaco Consul, having two winner’s apiece, so we will be banking on High Chaparral’s greatest son to keep the roll going at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Think About It Wins Listed Takeover Target – Six Wins in a Row
The Joe Pride trained So You Think gelding Think About It has charged through the grades this year and looks set to keep his winning run going in Brisbane with a stylish first up victory in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on Saturday.
So You Think's Long Jack to Test Derby Credentials at Geelong
The pressure goes on Long Jack at Geelong on Wednesday to keep alive the Group I Victoria Derby (2500m) prospects for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
One to Watch – Ballarat
With seven winners in the past seven days and five stakes-winners this season, dual Cox Plate winning sire So You Think is in the best form of his life as a sire and added an impressive maiden winner to his tally at Ballarat on Wednesday.