Spring Stakes Goals for So You Think Winner

Dashing grey colt D’Argento (2c So You Think x Fullazz, by Redoute's Choice) kept his unbeaten record intact and stamped himself as a spring stakes prospect with a stylish victory at Rosehill on Saturday for the powerful Chris Waller stable.

A debut winner at Newcastle on July 15 over 1200 metres, D’Argento made a swift transition to Saturday grade and relished the step up to 1500 metres to score a powerful neck win with champion jockey Hugh Bowman in the saddle.

"He felt pretty good from where I was sitting," Bowman said. "He's got a bit of growing up to do mentally but physically he's the real deal.'' Bowman was of the opinion we will see the best of D'Argento in time. "I came out early because the pace had slackened," he said. "There was a nice tempo mid-race but the pace slackened and I don't feel he's a sit and sprint type, I think he's a horse that's going to improve as he gets over even further, so I didn't want to be sitting back spotting them six lengths. "He's got a bit of growing up to do mentally. He's not as straight forward as some horses are at this stage of their life but considering he's got the pedigree to get over further I think it's very encouraging." Chris Waller was impressed with the victory and will now consider which path to take with the rising three-year-old heading into the spring carnival. "He didn't win by a big margin but I don't think that's very important. It's all about the experience and helping him improve," Waller said. "It'd be easy to target races like the Gloaming and Spring Champion but my gut tells me maybe to wait for a Carbine Club at the end of the spring."

A $135,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Baramul Stud draft, D’Argento is the fourth winner from stakes-winning Redoute’s Choice mare Fullazz, who owes her grey colouring to the sire of her dam, renowned grey shuttle sire Kenmare.

It’s a speed female family that features Group I winner Sizzling, so one would think races of around a mile to a mile and possibly a mile and a quarter would be optimum for D’Argento has his career unfolds. D’Argento is bred on the same cross as So You Think’s Group I ATC Randwick Guineas winner Inference, who is also from a daughter of Redoute’s Choice. So You Think has enjoyed a great season with his three year-olds who also include Kiwi Group I winner La Bella Diosa and stakes-winner Northwest Passage as well as stakes horses So Si Bon, Smart as You Think, Kaching, So You Too, I Thought So and The Pinnacle. The ten time Group I winner stands at a fee of $60,500 this spring.