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...
Wootton Bassett Stallion Back in Winning Form
A Group I winner at two and then a Group winner again last year at three, Wootton Bassett colt Bucanero Fuerte was retired to stud at the end of last year, but after hitting a hurdle with his fertility was returned to training.
Kiwi Trainer Karen Parsons Celebrates 1000 Wins
Balcairn trainer Karen Parsons is the latest member to be inducted into the 1000-win club after she reached the milestone at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting last Thursday.
Rewarding Stakes Win for Francee
Francee’s victory in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) was of special significance for Haunui Farm on a number of fronts.
Godolphin Unleash 2million Frankel Colt
A Frankel colt from Loch Lein was the top seller at the 2024 Goffs Orby Book Yearling Sale when selling to Godolphin for €2million and he made a hugely impressive winning debut overnight at Newmarket.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 19
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 18
Here is the full list of 66 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
US Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
Widden Stud’s Zoustar has a narrow lead over Pride of Dubai on the Australian General Sires List following a weekend that produced a new stakes-winner in Australia in Stardom and also one in the US with Lunar Impact taking out the Listed Mizdirection Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Tenth Winner for Farnan
Kia Ora Stud’s Golden Slipper winner Farnan added a new winner to his tally on Sunday with a debut victory at the Sunshine Coast for Bourbon County.
Inglis Great Southern Sale Now Online
Weanlings by I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Wootton Bassett and Justify headline a stellar catalogue for the Great Southern Weanling Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.
Aussie Exceedance Winner in Japan
Promising Exceedance colt Bellagio World was purchased for $220,000 from the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Winning Stud / Satomi Oka Bloodstock (FBAA) and he opened his winning account in Japan on the weekend with a victory in Tokyo.