A tilt at a third Cox Plate is among the options being considered for So You Think but a triumphant homecoming may be thwarted by quarantine restrictions.
The former Australian horse expanded his European fan club with a gritty win over Prix de l’Arc Triomphe winner in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, atoning for his last start defeat at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien flagged the Cox Plate as an option along with the Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders’ Cup.
But the Ballydoyle property owned by Coolmore has been rejected as a quarantine facility by Australian authorities making an Australian trip problematical due to the time he would have to spend at another centre.
Duncan Ramage, Australian bloodstock manager for minority shareholder Dato Tan Chin Nam, said the Malaysian businessman was thrilled with the win and not overly concerned about another Cox Plate.
“If So You Think came for the Cox Plate he could not run in the Arc or the Breeders’ Cup in the United States,” Ramage said.
“Dato Tan was very pleased with the win and he is very keen for So You Think to be an ambassador for Australasian racing.
“He wants him to be a flag bearer around the world and the horse has two Cox Plates already.
“The decision will be up to Coolmore and it’s great to think of the options he has.
“As Dato has said, So You Think was the Tiger of Australia and he wants him to show he is the world’s Tiger.”
Dato Tan sold a majority share in So You Think to Coolmore last spring before the horse ran third in the Melbourne Cup.
O’Brien has said more than once he is the best horse Coolmore has had and blamed himself for his Royal Ascot defeat, saying he was underdone.
Many Australians including former trainer Bart Cummings blamed the tactics used by Coolmore’s pacemaker and So You Think’s jockey Ryan Moore.
It was a different story at Sandown where Moore chose to ride Workforce and Seamie Heffernan jumped back aboard So You Think and timed his run to perfection to overhaul his rival inside the final 100 metres.
“He’s an uncomplicated horse and I knew I would pick up Ryan when I did,” Heffernan said.
“He’s a special horse at home and hopefully he can improve from it.”
So You Think was immediately elevated to favouritism for the Arc at between 5-2 and 7-2.
AAP TURF
