Higher Ground (So You Think) winning the G3 rank Packer Plate at Randwick

Group Double for So You Think

So You Think was in hot form on Saturday with two new Group winners after Higher Ground (3c So You Think x Dark Vision, by Encosta de Lago) won the Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate at Randwick followed by a scintillating victory in the Group III SAJC Auraria Stakes in Adelaide for exciting filly Sopressa (3f So You Think x Hidden Strings, by Weasel Clause).

Prepared by Chris Waller, Higher Ground outgunned his stablemate Tangled, who was coming off a last start third in the Group I ATC Australian Derby.

He won the 2000 metre staying test by a nose taking his overall record to four wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney topping $200,000.

"I like the So You Thinks," said Chris Waller, who indicated the Queensland Derby would be the winter goal for Higher Ground.

"They suit my style of training. He was a deadset superstar and to get some of his progeny is pretty special.

"A big key in horses longevity is not pushing them and as you can see they start developing late in life."

A $210,000 Magic Millions purchase for Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock from the Newhaven Park draft, Higher Ground is the first winner for Dark Vision, a winning daughter of Encosta de Lago from the family of Group I winners Bonneval, Champagne and St Reims.

Given his pedigree, once can’t help but think Higher Ground can be a real force when he gets to Queensland.

The Darren Weir trained Sopressa was considered very unlucky when held up for a run before finishing seventh in the Listed SAJC Laelia Stakes two weeks ago and was well fancied to show her true form.

Ridden a positive race by Harry Coffey, she enjoyed a good run just behind the leaders and was in a class of her own when accelerating away to win the 1800 metre contest by four and a quarter lengths beating champion filly Miss Finland’s daughter Earth Angel.

A $70,000 Inglis Great Southern Weanling purchase for Dowling Park from the Bucklee Farm draft, Sopressa runs for a big group of owners and has two wins and four placings from nine starts with prizemoney of $111,610.

Sopressa is the fifth winner from Group II winning Weasel Clause mare Hidden Strings, who was covered last season by Scat Daddy’s brilliant son No Nay Never.

Higher Ground and Sopressa are the 11th and 12th stakes-winners for So You Think, who stands this spring at a fee of $44,000.