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...
Star Sprinter Jokers Grin Plays Winning Hand
On a big, boisterous opening day of The Pinnacles carnival at a packed out Ascot racecourse, WA’s reigning Horse Of The Year Jokers Grin was definitely the headline act.
Exceedance Filly Breaks Maiden with G3 Champion fillies Victory
Classy Exceedance daughter Pure Excess galloped out of maiden company and into the headlines when she got up for a heartstopping last stride victory over the favourite, in the G3 WA Champions Fillies Stakes on opening day of The Pinnacles carnival at Ascot.
First Stakes Victory For Better Then Ready’s Epic Proportions
With victories in NSW, Victoria and Queensland since July, Ciaron Maher’s Better Than Ready gelding Epic Proportions has produced some strong efforts in his last four starts in the sunshine state, but none more so than his effort of Saturday to win the Listed BRC Keith Noud Stakes (1200m) when leading throughout. 
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 16
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bivouac Filly Wins $500,000 Placid Ark Stakes - G1 Possible
Worth a whopping $500,000, the Listed WATC Placid Ark Stakes (1100m) for three year-olds was the richest race on the program at Ascot on Saturday and the short priced favourite Luana Miss scored an impressive win.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 15
Here is the full list of 110 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Star WA Mare Storyville on Track for G1 Railway
Quality four year old mare Storyville (Overshare) collected her third stakes win and slammed the door of the Last Chance Saloon shut on a couple of potential Railway Stakes rivals in the G3 RJ Peters Stakes 1500m at Ascot.
2026 Inglis Classic Sire Break Up and Vendor Representation
The 2026 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale is now online with 798 yearlings which is pretty much on on a par with last year’s 805 and if you believe variety is the spice of life this catalogue is going to make you happy.
2026 Inglis Classic Now Online
The catalogue for the 2026 Classic Yearling Sale – the fastest growing success story of the Southern Hemisphere’s early-season auctions – is now available online.
Almanzor Mare Back on Track
Classy mare Mary Shan has black-type targets on her agenda after bouncing back to winning form in Saturday’s Happy Hire Cup (1400m) at Tauranga.