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...
Miss Icelandic Another Inglis Digital Stakes Success Story
Bought as a tried racemare through the 2024 Inglis Digital December Sale for $50,000, six year-old Deep Field mare Miss Icelandic scored her first stakes win on Friday night when leading all the way to win the $175,000 Listed Abell Stakes (1200m) at Cranbourne.
Fast Track 2026/27 Launches Nationally: Applications Now Open
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has officially launched applications for the 2026/27 Fast Track program — a nationally recognised traineeship designed to build the next generation of thoroughbred breeding professionals.
Sires With Winners - Friday February 27
Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding to Win - 2026 G1 Surround Stakes
The $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday brings together the best three year old fillies in Australia, so who are the top chances? 
The Story of Surround - Best 3YO Filly Ever
The only Group I race in Australia for three year-old fillies run at less than a mile, the $750,000 Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) is named in honour of the only three year-old filly to ever win a Cox Plate, so who was she?
First Winner for Tiger of Malay
Newgate Farm is home to champion sire Extreme Choice and also his promising young sire son Tiger of Malay, who broke the ice with his first winner at Canterbury on Friday night.
Opportunities Present as Latest Magic Millions Digital Sale Opens
Bidding is now open the latest Magic Millions Digital Sale (27 February-4 March) with great opportunities across all ages and categories.
One to Watch – Canterbury
Extreme Choice was a brilliant sprinter and has thrown his share of brilliant sprinters, but as with great champion sires of the past, he can also get a stayer such as Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice and VRC Oaks winner She’s Extreme.
Timing is Everything - Newhaven Park Present Streisand Half-Brother
When entries were taken for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year a colt by Star Witness from Zouper Star was hardly seen as a standout offering, but events of the last six months will have this youngster as one of the must inspect horses of the sale.
Kingsclere seeking another Derby with Ocean Park Filly
Kingsclere Stables have an exciting week ahead of them, with promising mare She’s A Dealer shooting for black-type at Trentham on Sunday, while six days later the Cambridge barn will hold a strong hand in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).