First Stakes Success for So You Win

Previously a five-time placegetter at stakes level, Karaka graduate So You Win (So You Think) broke through for a richly deserved win in Saturday’s $150,000 Listed XXXX January Cup (2000m) at Rosehill. 

Bought for $220,000 by Chris Waller Racing from Hallmark Stud’s draft at the 2016 Premier Sale, So You Win has now had 46 starts for nine wins, 14 placings and A$885,765 in stakes – more than four times his purchase price.

The consistent gelding had picked up a reputation as a perennial placegetter in black type races, finishing second in the Group Three Foundation Cup (2000m), second in the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap (2000m), second in the Group Three Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m), second in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) and third in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m). But it was a different story on Saturday at Rosehill.

Ridden by Sam Clipperton for champion expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller, So You Win produced a powerful finish from midfield and packed too much power down the straight for stablemate Mubariz (Dansili), edging him out by a short neck.

“We sent him to Queensland just to get that confidence back into him and a change of scenery,” Waller stable representative Damien Fitton said. “It works really well with older geldings, then bring them back down when they’ve got that confidence and they’re in a bit better form.

“That’s pleasing to see, he’s been a very consistent gelding for the owners and the stable. It’s great to get that win on the board.

“At the 300 metres, I thought Mubariz was going to keep going. But then once Sam really got stuck into So You Win, I could see he was going to run over the top of him. He just knows how to get to the post.”

So You Win will now be given an opportunity to complete a black-type double when he makes a likely next start in the A$150,000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm on January 26.