Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Review curragh 2nd May
Review curragh 2nd May
Australian star So You Think lived up to his tall reputation as he kicked off his European career with a bloodless victory at the Curragh.
Trained by the legendary Bart Cummings to win five Antipodean Group Ones over a range of distances, the Coolmore team snapped up a controlling interest in the five-year-old following his third-placed finish in the Melbourne Cup last November.
Now with Aidan O'Brien, So You Think was pitched back into action in the 10-furlong High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.
Stablemate Windsor Palace set a steady pace up front and it was merely a question of when to press the button for Seamie Heffernan as the 2-13 favourite was cruising throughout.
He eventually came home a comfortable 10 lengths clear of Bob Le Beau and O'Brien is now targeting the Tattersalls Gold Cup back at the Curragh later this month.
He said: "He came to Ireland with the most unbelievable reputation and is a real product of Australian breeding, training and racing.
"He seems to go so easily in his races that he could either go up or even step back in trip, but his most likely next race is the Tattersalls Gold Cup here on May 22."
So You Think was completing a double for the Ballydoyle outfit as Power (3-1) had earlier marked himself as a horse of potential in winning the Alfred Nobel EBF Maiden.
"Power is a sharp, mature type and is a lovely, big, honest horse," O'Brien added.
"He behaved very well and may be an Ascot horse later in the summer."< Emiyna (5-2 favourite) will step up to Classic company next time after holding Lolly For Dolly by a short head in a thrilling renewal of the Starspangledbanner EBF Athasi Stakes.
"I'm delighted with that as she is a good filly and will run next in the Irish 1000 Guineas, all going well," said winning trainer John Oxx.
"She has lots of stamina on her dam's side but is not a stayer herself as she has plenty of speed..
"She needs to keep improving now and was a little green when she hit the front."
Oxx and jockey Johnny Murtagh were later on the mark with Dance