Seamie Heffernan has been studying old renewals of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in an attempt to plot the best path to success on So You Think at Longchamp on Sunday (Monday morning AEDT).
Heffernan has been burning the midnight oil ahead of the biggest ride of his career on Aidan O’Brien’s giant Australian import.
The question that seems to be on the lips of every pundit is whether So You Think will be as effective over a mile and a half (2400m) given all of his best form in Ireland is over 10 furlongs (2000m).
The affable Irishman has been on board for his wins in a Group Three at the Curragh, the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes, and is excited by the prospect of riding him in Europe’s biggest race.
“I’ve only ever ridden him over a mile and a quarter (2000m) and I’ve been very happy with him over that trip,” Heffernan said.
“The Arc is the Arc and if you don’t run them, you don’t find out.
“Hopefully everything works out. It’s the Arc and it’s always going to be a big field with very strong competition. The bigger field might help him, but you never know.
“He’s a very good horse but you still need a bit of luck on your side and hopefully we get it.
“I remember Mick Kinane’s ride on Sea The Stars when he had to sit and suffer when he was waiting for a gap.
“I’ve been watching a few of the old Arcs on video and I’ve ridden in it a few times so I’m looking forward to it.
“All his preparations have gone very well leading up to it so this is the big day.”
O’Brien also runs Treasure Beach and St Nicholas Abbey.
There had been some lingering doubts about the participation of last year’s winner Workforce due to the hot weather in Paris, but those concerns now appear to have been soothed.
Teddy Grimthorpe, owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager, walked the track on Friday morning and was pleased with what he saw.
Another positive for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old was that he was handed stall eight, the same berth from which he was victorious 12 months ago.
Ryan Moore has also returned from injury in time to ride him.
“I hope it’s as lucky as last year and he’s fared better (in the draw) than some of the other fancied runners,” Grimthorpe said.
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