So You Think Targets Saturday’s Champion Stakes At Ascot

So You Think

So You Think

So You Think is expected to run in this Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse after his fourth place defeat in the French Prix de l’Arc de Triompheon October 2.

Coolmore’s general manager Michael Kirwan said that the five-year-old had pulled up well from the 2,413 metre race.

Kirwan felt So You Think had performed admirably to overcome his wide barrier draw of 14 to feature in the first four.

“From the outside barrier that he drew… it was very difficult for the horse,” Kirwan said.

“Once you jump out of the stalls in France you’ve got to go straight for the first furlong and you can’t crossover.

“If he’d crossed over he’d just be disqualified.

“He ran a great race from where he had drawn.

“He was a long way back.

“We’ve got to put it behind us and move on to the next one.”

Kirwan was impressed with the ride of jockey Seamie Heffernan in the Group 1 race.

“I thought he rode the horse perfectly,” he said.

While it hasn’t been confirmed, Kirwan is confident So You Think will take his place in this Saturday’s Group 1 Champion Stakes.

“I’m almost certain he is (but) they haven’t actually announced it yet,” Kirwan said.

“It’s now up to the owners.”

So You Think’s main aim of his preparation is likely to be the Group 1 Breeder’s Cup in the United Stakes in November.

“I’m sure they’ll have a spot in the breeder’s cup line up for him if he pulls up okay,” Kirwan said.

The High Chaparral gelding has won four of his six race starts in Europe since being transferred to trainer Aidan O’Brien in Ireland following his third place in the Melbourne Cup last year.

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