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What a 30 minutes it was for all areas of the Australian racing industry last Sunday morning.
As the calendar just ticked over to 3 July, we saw three separate ambassadors for three separate sectors of the racing game salute on three separate race tracks around the world.
Naturally we need to start with So You Think.
We all knew he was good but perhaps the confidence was dented a touch after the foibles of Royal Ascot.
Most will blame that on jockey error or even tactical issues but we just needed to see the son of High Chaparral confirm into the conscious of those watching that he indeed had the gumption and spirit to take on the world.
And despite only four rivals, why have a field of ten with five absolute no hope handicappers to get in the way.
As we mentioned last week the Eclipse Stks is a time honoured G1 run over a very testing course at Sandown.
Down the dip at halfway, it rises significantly over the final three furlongs making it a long run for home and one only the stout of heart and mind can conquer.
Only Sir Michael Stoute used a pacemaker here (Confront) but in reality it was more a lead out horse for his Epsom Derby and Arc hero Workforce. Remember last year the locals got very excited after the blue riband, were set on their heels following the King George, then replenished when he held onto win the Arc at Longchamp.
Workforce took control at the six and with a thought that he'd be the stronger stayer, Ryan Moore attempted to outgun the very horse he rode in the Prince of Wales's Stks.
Ironically it was a similar ride with a similar result for him.
Just for a few strides, with tongue flapping in the breeze, So You Think looked just to be needing to pick up.
But his quality, skill and desire to win surged him past an elite opponent to score a famous ½ length win in an English G1.
In some ways the race was reminiscent of Fantastic Light and Galileo in the Irish Champion Stks or from a local perspective Lonhro and Sunline in his first Yalumba win - great duels and roaring crowds.
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Post-race was very interesting. Aidan O'Brien appears to be wanting to keep him to a mile and a quarter where there are still top drawer G1s in England, Ireland or even in the US at the Breeders Cup over that trip.
I think it is unfair to think he wouldn't run 2400m at his peak. Just recall he's never even tried it.
Sure the Melbourne Cup was two miles but it was hardly a traditional Cup preparation with only three x 2000m runs onto the Flemington feature.
Have a think back to Might And Power. While he'd had a crack at a Derby, his Caulfield Cup explosion allowed him to show his strength over an extended range.
SYT simply can't get away from them as much over a mile and a quarter. He's certainly bred to run it out being by a Derby winner himself and the High Chaparral's here have had no issue whatsoever eg Descarado, Monaco Consul, Shoot Out etc.
Having gotten that monkey off his back at Sandown, we look forward to the next instalment of his crusade which is also helping to serve teach some Australian racing enthusiasts about some of the great European races.
Just one memo to Coolmore - can we get his flowing forelocks back. It was so much of his character and appeal back home. I thought maybe we could blame that for his defeat at the Royal Meeting. A touch of Samsom perhaps.
But he still had his broad jaw, his resolute chin and his determination which was enough to give everyone a cheer.
Photo by HKJC
This mighty filly raced in a handicap with 55kg on her back following her taking the equivalent of our princess series but over staying distances.
Under the tutelage of one of the world's great conditioners in Mike de Kock, she charged over to lead them then took a sit behind the speed.
Ready to pounce once they straightened, when the cutaway rail evolved, she took the gap and while not exploding away, had a big enough break for Anthony Delpech to stand high in the irons in celebration.
Remember he was the jockey most famous for many of the efforts on Hong Kong's great Vengeance Of Rain. That was known as Subscribe in Australia and one of Lloyd Williams traded stock.
De Kock is a star on the global training stage and travels them brilliantly, with Dubai one of his favourite hunting grounds. You can bet Igugu is on a short list to get to a race like the World Cup if quarantine issues are sorted out.
The filly has Australian lineage as she was sold through Premier Sale in 2009 at Inglis.
Kia Ora Stud offered her by Galileo and so you should suspect she'd have little dramas getting 2400m. Our breeding industry should be proud of the part it plays and the interest shown.
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He is on a stint riding in the UK again for his friend Mick Channon. He did that a few years ago with fantastic success.
In a lower grade race at Haydock Park (compared to what was happening at Sandown), he rode a brilliantly judged and patient race on a horse called Halicarnassus to stroll home.
Interestingly in the same race was the former South Australian Derby winner and now Godolphin entrant Kidnapped. The ex-Peter Snowden G1 winner didn't have the greatest of luck when checked at a vital stage but wasn't in a winning position at the time.
Bowman followed up with several placings thereafter. There was even contemplation of a jumping race but that is literally up in the air.
Don't be surprised if he gets a nice result out of this trip down the track. Who knows, he might end up with a big Melbourne Cup chance with the added exposure he is getting.
Speaking of the Cup, and back onto So You Think, there was plenty of discussion and dramas which surrounded new Australian Quarantine regulations to be enacted at Newmarket in England and in Ireland.
The implications of the necessary talks may well alter some plans for the Spring Carnival.
Along with the chances to compete in the Melbourne Cup, there was even post Eclipse Stks possibilities flouted by Coolmore about the Cox Plate for the dual champ.
With the MVRC providing incentives to get international runners and SYT considered one of them, there would be an extraordinary interest in seeing if our global star could return home and try to emulate Kingston Town's three Plates.
As big as the Melbourne Cup is, a trio of Plates at the Valley would be of such an equal standing to that of Makybe Diva when you take into account his Northern Hemisphere campaign.
Kingston Town's feats are legendary and for a horse to be a chance to equal it is fascinating in this day and age considering a) he won the first one as a 3yo and b) he is a stallion.
They are usually rushed off to the breeding barn so it is a credit that he is still showing off.
This week coming we see the running of the famous Grafton Cup carnival. The Ramornie and Cup are always very competitive races and top betting events in a spirited betting ring.
Get to the Clarence River Jockey Club for the races or check out some of the information we have for Grafton next week.
At Racing and Sports we have now provided, free of charge, all UK and Irish form and info in our various databases. We think it will make an important addition to the industry.
Check out all the form for those races by going to our RAS FORMGUIDE and then click on the appropriate race meeting. You will notice that we also have videos in place for some jurisdictions and new video comments in our form.
Whatever your involvement there, we have your needs covered.
We welcome all your views so please contact us via our email [email protected]
Racing and Sports provides form references and the best coverage of all the important racing info, betting details and form references, not just for Australian racing, but now also for New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and Ireland meetings.
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Until next week,
Good Luck and Good Punting.
Gary
