Kiwi Steals the Show in NZB Memsie Stakes

It was a battle between some of Australasia's finest talent, but fittingly New Zealand Bloodstock graduate So You Think proved too good in the Group 2 $200,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

In what was his first start since November due to a throat operation, the handsome son of High Chaparral demonstrated why he is the reigning Cox Plate winner with a gallant victory over a star-studded field.  

Hot on the heels of five-time Group 1 winning mare Typhoon Tracy, So You Think travelled up well to second place and when asked by jockey Steven Arnold in the straight he surged to the lead holding off Whobegotyou (Street Cry x Temple of Peace) by half a length.

Crossing the line for third was another of High Chaparral's outstanding offspring, Shoot Out (ex Pentamerous), who was named 2009/2010 Queensland Horse of the Year later that day in recognition of his wins in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes, Group 1 Randwick Guineas, Group 1 AJC Derby and Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes. Shoot Out's trainer John Wallace was honoured as Queensland Trainer of the Year at the same awards.

Trained by Bart Cummings, who had five horses in the race, So You Think has now accumulated earnings of $2,324,050 for owners Dato Tan Chin Nam and Tunku Ahmad Yahaya. His display of dominance on Saturday has created a stir in the betting markets, already favorite for the Cox Plate, So You Think's price shortened from $8 to $4.40 on Sunday, while the four-year-old's Melbourne Cup price has tightened from $26 to $15 yesterday.

Duncan Ramage, who received the New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes trophy on behalf of So You Think's owners, was full of praise for the winner.

"We're delighted that he has come back so impressively after his break. It was a fitting win for him as a New Zealand Bloodstock purchase given their sponsorship of the race."

Bred by Mike Moran and Piper Farms Ltd, So You Think was purchased by Duncan's DGR Thoroughbreds for $110,000 at the 2008 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale from Windsor Park Stud.

Entries have closed for the 2011 National Yearling Sales Series and selections are underway with almost all of High Chaparral's small crop set to be offered at Karaka 2011.

The next event on the New Zealand Bloodstock calendar is the Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs on the 16 & 17 November. The Breeze Ups are on the 18 & 19 October.

The National Yearling Sales Series runs from 31 January - 7 February 2011 with catalogues out 26 November.