A three-quarter brother to champion So You Think was narrowly beaten on debut in New Zealand on Monday.

The three-year-old Packing Chaparral, by High Chaparral from So You Think’s half sister La Souvenir (Nuclear Freeze), struck a very heavy track at Matamata but showed natural ability to finish a close second.

An $800,000 purchase at the 2012 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, the three-year-old gelding is trained by Ken Kelso for his Hong Kong owner Patrick Lee.

Packing Chaparral settled in second place after a fast start and reached the lead after chasing gamely before he beaten on the post by the fast finishing Maestro Tom.

So You Think, who won his first start in a 1400m maiden at Rosehill, went on to win 10 Group One races in Australia and overseas, ending his career under the ownership of Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

He is now a flagship shuttle sire for Coolmore with his first Australian progeny born now weanlings.