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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.

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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.

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