Ex Australian galloper So You Think will contest the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in France tomorrow.
The event, which will take place in the early hours of the morning Australian time, will see So You Think attempt to outclass yet another country in one of their biggest races of the year.
The High Chaparral gelding, of whom a majority share was sold to Coolmore Stud trainer Aidan O’Brien in Ireland following So You Think’s Melbourne Cup third last year, has won four of his five European starts to date.
Coolmore representative Tom Magnier said So You Think remains on song to continue his impressive winning streak.
“Aidan has been very happy with the horse and everything is going to plan heading to Longchamp,” Magnier said.
“So You Think had nearly two months off over summer in Europe so he had a good break.”
Magnier was unsure as to where So You Think would go to next after his 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe run.
“We want to see how he runs in the Arc but there are a number of options for the horse after that,” he said.
“He has been entered for the Breeders Cup Turf and Japan Cup and there is also the Champion Stakes, run at Newmarket, next month.”
Part owner Dato Tan Chin Nam’s racing manager, Duncan Ramage, said they were excited to finally have a horse who could hold his own on the European stage.
“It’s (The Arc) the pinnacle of the European season in a way,” Ramage said.
“We’ve never been fortuitous enough to have a horse good enough to be there, but we’ve got one good enough to be there this time and we’re in it.
“We’ve had minimal exposure in Europe, this is the only horse we’ve ever had over there.
“We’ve been to the Japan Cup with Saintly and had to scratch on race morning.
“We’ve won in Hong Kong (with Catalan Opening) but as far as Europe goes this is a whole new venture.
“I think the race itself will suit him. He’s been left in front a bit too soon in some of these small weight-for-age fields he’s been running in.
“In the Arc there should be plenty of runners carrying them into the last furlong (200m) – he shouldn’t be in front too soon there.”
Ramage highlighted the benefits Australian Racing would receive should So You Think win tomorrow’s race.
“He’s a walking billboard for Australasian racing,” Ramage said.
“He’s New Zealand-bred and a product of our racing system.”
The racing manager stressed that So You Think was at his best ahead of his first French run.
“They’ve had no complications, he’s been fairly faultless to prepare and train so he’s going into the race in good condition,” he said.
Dato Tan Chin Nam himself was excited about the challenges that lay ahead for So You Think in the coming days and months.
“In life you must always challenge yourself to find your best,” Dato Tan said.
“It’s no different with racehorses. I have been very fortunate to have raced some great horses and from Think Big to So You Think I have always wanted my best horses to have their greatness tested.
“So You Think has been challenged in Australia and shown himself to be the Tiger.
“He deserves his chance to see if he is the biggest Tiger in world racing.”
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