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...

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.

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.

Extreme Choice Colt wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus

What began as a bold new initiative in August 2024, the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series has rapidly grown into one of the most lucrative racehorse ownership incentive schemes in Australian racing history.

Ka Ying Rising Leads Kiwi Bred Domination of G1 HK International Sprint

It was a Kiwi bred first four in the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) on Sunday with raging hot favourite Ka Ying Rising extending his unbeaten sequence to 16 wins as fans and punters expected.

High Chaparral's Mississippi Delta From Last to First in Perth Cup

The late, great Coolmore stallion High Chaparral (IRE) may have celebrated more prestigious wins in his glittering career but Saturday was a real financial windfall for the son of Sadler’s Wells.

Sires With Winners - Sunday December 14

Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

French Trained Sea the Stars Stallion Wins G1 HK Vase

The big ones at Sha Tin kicked off on International Day with the Group I HK International Vase (2400m) for the stayers and in a year when the French have been on fire all around the world it was French trained Sea the Stars stallion Sosie that took the prize.

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.

Aussie Bred Voyage Bubble Goes Back to Back in G1 HK International Mile

Torryburn Stud have bred and sold some great horses, but none better than Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble, who scored a tenacious victory in the Group I HK International Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday for the second year in a row.

More Stakes Success for Storyville

The Grant and Alana Williams bred and trained Storyville led all the way in a bold change of tactics from champion hoop Willie Pike, which paid off brilliantly when the classy daughter of Overshare was able to hold off all challengers and post the fourth stakes win of her career in the Listed Starstruck Classic.