Summer Cups on radar for Australian Derby placegetter

The form out of the Australian Derby has stood up this spring and trainer John Sargent hopes that continues to be the case for his promising stayer Glad You Think So when he heads to Newcastle’s The Hunter meeting.

Glad You Think So finished third behind the ill-fated Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf in the autumn classic, the latter returning as one of the stars of the Sydney carnival with Group 1 wins in the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes.

Sargent has set his sights on a much more modest assignment for his charge in Saturday’s Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m) where he hopes Glad You Think So can run up to his autumn form.

“Let’s hope he can go on with it. He has been gelded since then and that has obviously helped a bit too,” Sargent said.

Glad You Think So finished down the track first-up over 1400m on the Kensington track but ran a much-improved race last start when sixth and just over two lengths from Battleton over 1500m at Rosehill.

Sargent expects him to appreciate a distance rise on Saturday and is looking for a bold showing.

“His last run was very good. He hit the line well with Ben Melham at Rosehill,” Sargent said.

“He is getting out to a distance now where he will be dangerous. Kerrin Mcevoy rides and I expect a decent run from him on Saturday.”

Long-term, Sargent has his sights on another autumn carnival tilt with Glad You Think So and shorter-term, could aim him towards next month’s Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick if he runs to expectations at Newcastle.

Another son of So You Think, Perfect Thought, kicks off his latest campaign in the Ausure Insurance Newcastle Handicap (1300m).

The 2022 Carbine Club Stakes winner has failed to live up to his early promise but off the back of a good spell, Sargent is hoping he can rediscover some form this preparation, although the trainer says he will improve on whatever he does first-up.

“He just went off his form so we gave him a decent break and hopefully that has done him good,” Sargent said.

“He seems better and stronger so we will go from Saturday and see how he goes after that.

“It’s probably short of his best, but I’ll be happy as long as he’s hitting the line.”