SO You Think was the star turn at Leopardstown on Saturday evening where the Australian import justified his restrictive price when gaining a hard-earned victory in the 10-furlong Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes.
Successful in seven Group 1s prior to Saturday, So You Think went to post at the cramped odds of 1/4 favourite to account for his five rivals. Seamie Heffernan’s mount didn’t have matters all his own way, however, as he had to really dig deep to shrug of the vigorous challenge of English raider Snow Fairy.
As expected, 20/1 Ballydoyle outsider, Roderick O’Connor, led when bouncing out of the stalls to make the early running at a very fast pace. Just before the two-furlong pole, Heffernan moved So You Think up to poke his head in front and it looked for a few strides as if he was going to run away with the massive €435,000 first prize.
That scenario quickly changed, however, as Frankie Dettori aboard 6/1 shot Snow Fairy wound up Ed Dunlop’s filly for a challenge but, try as hard as she could, Snow Fairy just could not peg back So You Think who held on in workmanlike fashion to score by a length and a half.
Dermot Weld’s Famous Name ran a very good race under Pat Smullen for third with 50/1 outsider Dunboyne Express picking up a nice slice of the place money in fourth.
Naturally enough, Aidan O’Brien, who only took control of the horse last January, was thrilled that So You Think – who was giving the Ballydoyle maestro his seventh success in the race – held on for a famous victory.  
“It was 63 days since he ran and you’d always be a bit worried about that. He’s an incredible specimen of a thoroughbred and just cruises through his races. I’m not sure where he’ll go next and all options are open for him,” O’Brien said.
Looking back on Saturday’s race, it does seem as if So You Think’s agenda may well include next month’s Arc at Longchamp. While O’Brien hasn’t ruled out dropping the colt back in trip to 10 furlongs for a possible clash with the mighty Frankel in Quipco Champion Stakes at Newmarket, the Paris race would look the next logical step especially now that the ill-fated Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi, who like So You Think carried the Tabor/Magnier/Smith colours, is out of the equation.
There was a super supporting card at Leopardstown on Saturday with the other Group 1 on offer, the Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes going to Dermot Weld’s 9/2 shot Emulous.
Pat Smullen was aboard this Khalid Abdullah-owned daughter of Dansili who picked up in impressive fashion when asked to do to beat O’Brien’s Together by three lengths with 6/4 favourite Misty For Me in third.
A delighted Weld revealed, “I’m thrilled to have won a Group 1 with this filly. She has already won three Group 3’s and that’s my first Group 1 for the owner. Emolous is a joy to train and the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket will be her next race.”
Earlier, Weld had initiated a double when his Galileo’s Choice landed the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes. Successful in a maiden hurdle under Robbie McNamara at last month’s Galway festival, Galileo’s Choice reverted to the level here and proved his versatility when forging clear off the home bend to beat runner-up Look At Me by a length and a quarter.
The decision of the Leopardstown executive to move this fixture to an evening slot certainly seemed to pay dividends with this year’s attendance at the Foxrock track reaching 8,295, up almost 600 on last year. Having the off time of the big race moved back to 6.45pm seemed to benefit the event as well and probably captured some of the GAA supporters who were in the city for the All-Ireland hurling final the following afternoon.
Flat action this weekend will centre on the Curragh where Fame and Glory will bid to redeem his reputation in the Irish Field St Leger. Surprisingly turned over last time when beaten by Vincent Ward’s mare Fictional Account in the Leger Trial at headquarters, Aidan O’Brien’s five-year-old will bid to give the Ballydoyle team further classic success at the County Kildare venue and he appears to have a first-rate chance of doing so.  

Listowel primed for annual invasion

THOUSANDS of Clare-based racing folk will make be their annual pilgrimage across the Shannon next week to attend the world famous seven-day Listowel Harvest Festival which kicks off on Sunday afternoon.
One of the last big festivals of the summer/autumn calendar, Listowel is a gathering of all that is good about Irish life with racing fans, holidaymakers, GAA supporters and  visitors from overseas gathering in the popular north Kerry town for a week of fun and craic.
On track, there is some much sought-after prize money up for grabs on the course dubbed ‘the Island’ with next Wednesday’s €160,000 Guinness Kerry National the undoubted highlight.
A Grade A three-mile chase, this race usually attracts some of the top chasers in training with Willie Mullins’ class type Scotsirish handed top weight of 12st in this year’s race.
Mullins, who has a great record in this event having scored with Euro Leader in 2005 and Bothar Na 12 months later, is mob-handed this time round as he also has recent Galway Plate winner Blazing Tempo, Uncle Junior and Tawaagg engaged.
Rathkeale handler Eric McNamara also knows what it takes to win a Kerry National having registered back-to-back successes in the race with Ponmeoath (2007/08), and his Question Answered appeals from lower end of the handicap.
Charles Byrnes, who won last year’s race with Alfa Beat, is a very shrewd handler and his Bideford Legend has caught the eye of the bookies of late, which sees him currently 8/1 ante-post favourite for Wednesday’s showpiece.
Not seen over fences since slamming subsequent winner Armarmak by eight lengths at Killarney back in May, this son of Flying Legend has had a couple of outings over hurdles recently which should leave the seven-year-old in tip-top shape for next week’s assignment.
Local trainer Noel Glynn has Gonebeyondrecall listed for duty and he is not without a chance. The eight-year-old had a nice pipe-opener on the flat when fifth under Grand National hero Jason Titley in a Legends Race at Bellewstown recently, which should stand to him in a big way and his colourful Spancilhill owner/trainer will be hoping his 132-rated charge can get in the money at least.