breednet.com.au

Champion Stakes and Victoria Derby on the Radar for Thinkin' Big

Mark Smith - Saturday September 22

Three outstanding sons of High Chaparral (IRE), So You Think, Dundeel and Ace High announced themselves in the Group III Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and the future looks bright for High Chaparral's fourth winner of the race, Thinkin' Big.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt was making his first start in two months at Rosehill on Saturday. Taken to the front by Tim Clark, Thinkin' Big was made to work early as Irukandji and Tavirun made sure there was some pace put into the race.

Advertisement


Thinkin' Big dropped those two in the straight and easily held the challenge of the favourite Tarka (All Too Hard) by two and a half lengths with Irukandji (Dundeel) back in third. (photos Steve Hart). 

"He's a lovely colt with a great attitude and is a pleasure to ride," Clark said.

Adrian Bott has big ambitions for the handsome colt

"He's a very professional colt and a really exciting horse for us going forward," Bott said.

"There was a little it more pressure early in the race than we expected but it was good to see him come back under Tim when he asked him. He got some beautiful sectionals midrace he got into a lovely rhythm and he showed a beautiful turn of foot when asked

'He'll back up in two weeks time in the (Group 1) Champion Stakes in a fortnight then it's on to Melbourne for the (Victoria) Derby."

It was the third win from four starts for Thinkin' Big advancing is earnings to $228,345.

A homebred for Dodmark Thoroughbreds, Thinkin' Big is a full-brother to Group III winner Stampede.

He is the third foal of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks runner-up Nothin' Leica Cat (Tale of the Cat) whose dam Nothin' Leica Ripa (Nothin' Leica Dane) is an unraced half-sister to dual Group II winner I Am A Ripper and to the dam of boom colt Murphy's Blu Boy.

Dodmark purchased Nothin' Leica Cat for $150,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She has a 2yo colt by So You Think named Just Thinkin' and a yearling filly by the same sire.

Last spring Nothin' Leica Cat was covered by the Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (USA).

From the final crop of High Chaparral (IRE), Thinkin' Big becomes the 120th stakes-winner for sadly missed son of Sadler's Wells.

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Kembla
A half-brother to Group I winning sprinter and $2.1million earner Benedetta, King’s Legacy colt Whatalegacy made it two wins in as many starts when he scorched the turf at Kembla on Thursday.
Official Sydney 2YO Trials – Sale Mail
We know spring is really here when the official Sydney 2YO barrier trials arrive and at Randwick next Monday on the Kensington track we will see nine heats over 850m starting at 9am, read on to see full Sale Mail for all heats.
Tajana Ready for G3 Sunline Vase
Fresh is best for top quality three-year-old Tajana who has thrived since her impressive return to competition last month.
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.
China Horse Owners Alliance named new Inglis China Representative
Inglis is thrilled to announce the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) as the company’s new China Representative.
Anders 3YO Bright Future
An $80,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase for Cumani Racing last year, Anders gelding Single Choice is working towards repaying his purchase price after recording his second win from just four starts at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Smart New Winner for Doubtland
Passed in and retained to race by Widden Stud, promising filly Sassy for Sure broke the ice at Mornington on Thursday to credit her young sire Doubtland with a new winner.
Big Payday for High Chaparral's A Man To Match
No black-type but a Group 1 prize for the connections of the High Chaparral (IRE) gelding A Man To Match who not only pocketed the $145,000 winners cheque as the inaugural winner of the $250,000 The Tab Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast but had it topped off with another $200,000 for being a Magic Millions graduate.
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.
Liefting Rewarded with Another Promising Filly
Rudy Liefting gave up the opportunity to train subsequent Group One winner Grail Seeker a few years ago, and he is being rewarded for his selflessness with the rise of another exciting filly.