Derby Potential for Debut So You Think Winner

Good looking colt The Genius (3c So You Think x Placement, by Savabeel) won on debut as a short priced favourite at Kyneton on with the promise of much better wins to come.

Trained by Danny O’Brien and ridden by Blake Shinn, The Genius was sent out first up in a 1450m maiden and after settling back early was allowed to work into the race and surged to the line to win by half a length.

“He’s a lovely style of horse and moves well and is well bred with a great ownership group,” said Blake Shinn.

“He’s done everything right in his trials and Danny set him right up for a first up win and it’s great to get the right result.

“He’s very athletic and conserves energy so I think he’ll get at least 2000m and there’s plenty of Derbies around next year and we might see him in one.”

The Genius was a $370,000 Inglis Easter purchase for O’Brien Thoroughbreds from the Attunga Stud draft ad was a successful pinhook having been bought as a weanling by James Bester for $130,000 from the Sledmere draft at the MM National Sale.

He is a half-sister to stakes-placed Berkshire Lady and is the fourth winner from four foals to race out of Placement, a talented staying filly by Savabeel that was placed in the Group I VRC Oaks.

Placement is closely related to Group I winner Savy Yong Blonk and $10million Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win as well as Group winners Strike the Stars and Adelaide Ace.