Aidan O’Brien is hopeful So You Think’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe exertions will not have taken too much out of him ahead of the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The Australian import came from way back to finish fourth in the Longchamp showpiece just a fortnight ago and his trainer has been happy enough with him since to let him line up on Saturday (Sunday AEST)
Defeat in France was his second from six starts since arriving in Europe but the master of Ballydoyle remains convinced he is a horse of the highest order.
“He was a great horse before we got him and he has shown he still is,” O’Brien told At The Races.
“We were happy with him the last day and the Arc was only a couple of weeks ago, but we’re happy with him.
“The Arc was one of those strange races and the horses that were on the pace stayed on the pace.
“We thought he ran a great race on the day and it was his first run over a mile and a half (2400m).
“He was drawn badly and Seamus (Heffernan) had to give him a chance and that is what he did.
“Because of where he was drawn he probably ended up a bit further away than ideally he would have wanted, but for the benefit of the horse long-term, he had to do that.
“He relaxed and travelled through the race and quickened well up the straight – he just didn’t get to the leaders.
“The horse had a good experience and seems well since. If we ever had to go back over a mile and a half again, it wouldn’t worry us.
“He has a great constitution and an unbelievable capacity for work.”
Heffernan has been replaced by Ryan Moore who has denied he will be joining the O’Brien stable on a permanent basis in the near future.
AAP TURF
