Sourced from Nichols Racing website 25 Sep 2021
So You Assume continued the Shane Nichols’ affinity with the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) for the fillies and mares at The Valley.
It was Nichols’ third win in the race, having won it twice with his former champion mare I Am A Star.
Nichols targeted the Stocks Stakes with this progressive mare by So You Think after winning three of her four starts through July and August.
“She was in such good form across the winter. She just kept stepping up to the task we set her,” Nichols said.
“We initially thought that she would be a 2000m horse, the way she was winning over a mile and that 1700m race at Caulfield, we thought she’d be more effective over the 1600m for the time being.
“We had a look at the calendar. We know she races well fresh, so we just gave her a couple of easy weeks, then started prepping her for this race. The plan’s come together, much to the owner’s delight.
Gerard and Kaz Lazare are great friends and have been owners in the stable for a long time. They now have a Group 2-winning mare by So You Think.”
Dean Yendall was able to take the lead and dictate the race without any fuss at the start. He has developed an excellent record with the mare of late.
Yendall noted the training performance to get So You Assume in winning condition, having not raced for “forty-odd days.”
“She began cleanly. I was able to find the front doing no work,” Yendall said after the race.
“She still a bit keen on me and wanting to get it over and done with. I got her to switch off a little bit, just to get a few sweeter sectionals.
“I think Shane’s got high expectations of her now after she’s won that quite comfortably.”
It has been well-noted what an astute purchase So You Think has proved to be with Nichols paying just $40,000 for her from the Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm draft. She has now won over $415,000 in prize money.
By So You Think, she is the first foal out of Remplaps Jewel who is a half-sister to Group 1 Golden Rose winner Manawanui.
So You Assume will now head to the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day with a $1 million bonus on offer if she can complete the Stocks Stakes – Empire Rose double.
