Coolmore is still no closer to committing glamour Australian import So You Think to a start in Europe’s most prestigious thoroughbred race.
While Australian wagering agency has So You Think sharing top billing for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, much uncertainty still surrounds his participation.
Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien said at the weekend he couldn’t shed any light on a possible Arc start for the entire.
“It’s still a way off and we haven’t decided yet,” he told reporters after watching St Nicholas Abbey run third in an Arc trial at Longchamp.
So You Think’s career earnings swelled to more than $6.6 million when he held off high-class mare Snow Fairy to win the Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month.
His victory was his fourth for O’Brien after Coolmore purchased a controlling interest in the five-year-old following last year’s Melbourne Cup carnival.
Three of those victories have come at Group One level, ensuring a lucrative stud career on both sides of the world.
So You Think was missing from first acceptors for next month’s W S Cox Plate at Moonee Valley along with Ballydoyle stablemate Cape Blanco.
Under the care of Bart Cummings, So You Think won the Cox Plate in 2009 and 2010.
TAB Sportsbet’s Arc market have So You Think and Sarafina as $4.50 chances.
Most overseas bookmakers have Sarafina an outright favourite after she won a dress rehearsal, the Prix Foy, at the weekend.
Workforce, beaten by So You Think in the Eclipse Stakes in July, is third favourite at $6, just in front on Nathaniel ($6.50).
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, run over 2400m, will be held on October 2.
It carries a $5.2 million purse.
AAP TURF
