So You Think will face off against Workforce in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in the UK

With So You Think’s invincibility status now broken, there are a line of contenders looking to pick him off this weekend in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes over 2000m at Sandown.

The one with the biggest backing and arguably the best credentials is Workforce who runs for legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

While the trainer has a remarkable record right around the UK circuit amazingly this is an event he’s never won.

It’s not for a lack of trying either, Stoute has saddled up 28 runners over the years but always fallen short.

He’s desperate for a win on Saturday given that he’s coming off his worst Royal Ascot Carnival in nearly two decades.

He didn’t score a single winner in any event, an outcome he hasn’t had in 16 years.

Punters are growing increasingly angry with his performances as well, in the last two weeks he’s had the favourite horse going into a race and all ten have flopped.

One man who still believes Stoute has what it takes though is Khalid Abdullah, the owner of Workforce, his representative Teddy Grimthorpe says he still considers him the best there is.
“Michael is one of the great trainers and he’s not going to send his horses out for Group Ones unless he’s really happy with them,” Grimthorpe said.

“We have every confidence in him. This horse has won his only start and that’s quite good form.

“We’re very positive. He has trained very nicely, he looks great. All the signs are very decent at this stage. I think he’d like a little bit more rain if we could get it but, other than that, everyone’s very happy with him.”

In a remark sure to anger plenty of Australians his take on our champion So You Think was direct and blunt.
“I’m with Bart Cummings. He should have stayed in Australia,” he said.

His arrogance will be tested this weekend when the two meet in what should be dry conditions with a new race plan and strategy sure to show an entirely different So You Think.