so you think is the best horse in the world

[Songofthesword]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67v8rj58vCs

i don't even think it's particularity close. this is a monster.

[Viva Pataca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67v8rj58vCs

i don't even think it's particularity close. this is a monster.

best horse in the southern hemisphere.

... apparently will run in the Mackinnon next Saturday and then the Melbourne Cup a week Tuesday. Not sure if that is the latest plan though. Now that's a campaign.

[Viva Pataca]

This is a $1 mil warm up for So You Think in the Mackinnon Stakes ... en route to the Melbourne Cup 3 days from now. What a horse!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9l5v3nIwiQ

[carbine]

This guy is something else. I was a huge fan of his dad too. He wouldn't be running in the Cup if he were mine but that doesn't mean he won't win it. He could well be the best turf horse going around at present and he showed today he can accelerate in any conditions. He's got it all, it seems.
But can he get two miles?

[Kurenai]

If he keeps that up he's most likely the best at classic distances on turf at the moment. Can't think of an European standout who could keep up with him really.

He just makes me go "whoah". And he's a damn pretty pony too! :becky:

[moonwalker]

He has a mane like a rock star.

Mary MMM

[serenassong]

I actually did see this and was impressed.

[Old Bones]

He has a mane like a rock star.

Mary MMM

What a horse! This article focuses on the horse's personality and competitiveness and has a great pic.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/so-you-think-the-super-horse/story-fn67r1j3-1225945350260?from=public_rss

[moonwalker]

Jockey who rode the second place horse in the Cox Plate called So You Think the "second coming of Phar Lap."

Mary MMM

[islandgirl45]

Wow. Wouldn't it have been terrific to watch So You Think in the Breeders Cup Turf?

[Songofthesword]

I am going to freaking unload on this horse monday night.

[doriemus]

http://www.dgrracing.com.au/db/news_images/SoYouThinkMingDyn2.jpg
So You Think headshot after the Ming Dynasty as a 3yo. Photo courtesy of DGR Racing

http://images.smh.com.au/ftsmh/ffximage/2009/10/18/so_you_think_wideweb__470x329,0.jpg
So You Think at track work on the eve of the 2010 Cox Plate. Photo courtesy of Vince Caligiuri

[doriemus]

There is a real aura and look to this animal.

He is an artwork in progress, a true 3d oil painting at work.

[the Ol'Line Rebel]

That headshot almost looks like Citation.

[second_glance]

That headshot almost looks like Citation.

He certainly has that "I'm barely tamed" look that you see in some of Citation's photos.

[islandgirl45]

He's described as a huge horse in articles. Is he over 17 hands? I don't think I've recently seen such a massive neck on a Thoroughbred. Even First Dude is big, but he doesn't look that muscled.

[doriemus]

He's described as a huge horse in articles. Is he over 17 hands? I don't think I've recently seen such a massive neck on a Thoroughbred. Even First Dude is big, but he doesn't look that muscled.

Not sure how big he is in real life Island girl, but I would not be surprised if he is 16.2hh. He is built like an absolute tank. But from the way everyone speaks, nature's true gentleman.

Only one horse comes as close to being as big and bullish looking as him, and that was Choisir.

[seahawkgal]

He is a gorgeous horse but when I watched that race, he didn't blow my doors off. I mean, he looks like a really good horse but I wasn't as wowed as everyone else here.
Are there other videos of his previous races to watch?

[arkle]

He is a gorgeous horse but when I watched that race, he didn't blow my doors off. I mean, he looks like a really good horse but I wasn't as wowed as everyone else here.
Are there other videos of his previous races to watch?

The wow factor is in the fact that he won the MacKinnon on Sat, just 1 week after he won the Cox Plate (Australia's greatest WFA race) and that he is using the MacKinnon as a prep for the Melbourne Cup on Tues. So he is prepping at 12f THREE DAYS before Australia's greatest race, where he will run 2 miles for the first time, all this after winning the Aus premier 10f race last week.
By next Tuesday he will have run 7 times in a little over two months. He has won the last 6, 5 of which have been G1s.

A think that deserves at least a little bitty "wow".

Here is his Cox Plate win from last weekend... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXWkHQQD44

[Kurenai]

He doesn't make me go "whoah" in a sense that he wins by 20 lengths or comes from 30 lengths behind to win. It's just the way he moves, his stride. And of course he looks like a monster.

And I love that they are racing him instead of working him. You usually don't see something like that anymore.

[Viva Pataca]

The wow factor is in the fact that he won the MacKinnon on Sat, just 1 week after he won the Cox Plate (Australia's greatest WFA race) and that he is using the MacKinnon as a prep for the Melbourne Cup on Tues. So he is prepping at 12f THREE DAYS before Australia's greatest race, where he will run 2 miles for the first time, all this after winning the Aus premier 10f race last week.
By next Tuesday he will have run 7 times in a little over two months. He has won the last 6, 5 of which have been G1s.

A think that deserves at least a little bitty "wow".

Here is his Cox Plate win from last weekend... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXWkHQQD44

And here is his first Cox Plate win last year when he was still technically a 2-year-old, crushing a group of older horses at 2040m, albeit getting 21 lbs from them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmArimzGEkw

[seahawkgal]

I would also bet that this horse was not 'stall' raised nor steroid growth raised like many American horses are. Thanks for the link BTW. :becky:

[Insane Crazy]

http://images.smh.com.au/ftsmh/ffximage/2009/10/18/so_you_think_wideweb__470x329,0.jpg
So You Think at track work on the eve of the 2010 Cox Plate. Photo courtesy of Vince Caligiuri

He looks like an absolute war horse. I don't know that I've seen an animal look so ready for battle outside of a statue. He is simply gorgeous. That big neck jumps out at me; I was just looking at a picture of Man O' War the other day and was caught off guard by the muscling through his neck. This kid makes me think the same. What a tank.

If he wins the Cup on Tuesday....I don't even think there will be words to describe him.

[Songofthesword]

he looks like an athlete. unlike our horses, who look like show ponies.

[BARNFOUR]

The wow factor is in the fact that he won the MacKinnon on Sat, just 1 week after he won the Cox Plate (Australia's greatest WFA race) and that he is using the MacKinnon as a prep for the Melbourne Cup on Tues. So he is prepping at 12f THREE DAYS before Australia's greatest race, where he will run 2 miles for the first time, all this after winning the Aus premier 10f race last week.
By next Tuesday he will have run 7 times in a little over two months. He has won the last 6, 5 of which have been G1s.

A think that deserves at least a little bitty "wow".

Here is his Cox Plate win from last weekend... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXWkHQQD44

not a little bitty........how bout a big WOW!!!!!

[doriemus]

The wow factor is in the fact that he won the MacKinnon on Sat, just 1 week after he won the Cox Plate (Australia's greatest WFA race) and that he is using the MacKinnon as a prep for the Melbourne Cup on Tues. So he is prepping at 12f THREE DAYS before Australia's greatest race, where he will run 2 miles for the first time, all this after winning the Aus premier 10f race last week.
By next Tuesday he will have run 7 times in a little over two months. He has won the last 6, 5 of which have been G1s.

A think that deserves at least a little bitty "wow".

Here is his Cox Plate win from last weekend... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuXWkHQQD44


Actually the MacKinnon was 10f not 12f, and is officially the last race to get into the Cup.

No he doesn't win by extraordinary lengths, its how he does it, and what he does.

Watch the 2009 Cox Plate, where as a natural 2yo (he wasn't 3 for at least another month after the race) he led all the way in the event and won by 2 lengths.

[firehorse]

found this picture of him looking for news, he certainly looks like a beautiful beast :)

[raven]

And here is his first Cox Plate win last year when he was still technically a 2-year-old, crushing a group of older horses at 2040m, albeit getting 21 lbs from them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmArimzGEkw

what a racehorse!!!

[islandgirl45]

An interesting The Rail column regarding Australian horses...

Two Days’ Rest? No Sweat for Australian Horses
By JOE DRAPE (http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/author/joe-drape/)
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/two-days-rest-no-sweat-for-australian-horses/

Excerpt:
"The first time I visited a tavern in Melbourne, Australia, a bitterly cold James Boag’s ale in my hand and a betting window in the corner doing brisk business, I thought I’d died and gone to horseplayer heaven. Stakes races, many of them Group I, flickered from the extra-large flat screens, and the slap of programs to palm offered the soundtrack to thunderous stretch runs where horses spread nine across on the lush green.
The first time I walked into Flemington Racecourse, I absolutely knew I had found horseplayer Valhalla. This was January, and I swore I had found the only track in the world where everyone was smiling. On Tuesday, when we’re going to the election polls, Australia will shut down for the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup Handicap, a grueling two-mile heat with a purse of nearly $6 million.
My mate, Kerry Lonergan, will be in this space tomorrow to explain what exactly “the race that stops a nation” is and who you should bet in it. He’s an entertaining tour guide who taught me a great many things about his country but none more important than: a “Gorilla” is a $1,000 bet, a “Monkey” is $500, a “Spot” is $100, and a “Brick” is $20.
I’m here to tell you today that the horses from Down Under are the most durable and well cared for equine athletes in the world. Look no further than the Melbourne Cup Favorite, So You Think: He has now won five in a row, the last four at the Group I level.
Most remarkable of all is the fact that So You Think won the mile and a quarter Cox Plate on Oct. 23, wheeled back and captured the mile and a quarter Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday, and will contest the Melbourne Cup on only two days’ rest. That’s two Kentucky Derbys, followed by a marathon, in 10 days............."

[Viva Pataca]

An interesting The Rail column regarding Australian horses...

Two Days’ Rest? No Sweat for Australian Horses
By JOE DRAPE (http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/author/joe-drape/)
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/two-days-rest-no-sweat-for-australian-horses/

Excerpt:
"The first time I visited a tavern in Melbourne, Australia, a bitterly cold James Boag’s ale in my hand and a betting window in the corner doing brisk business, I thought I’d died and gone to horseplayer heaven. Stakes races, many of them Group I, flickered from the extra-large flat screens, and the slap of programs to palm offered the soundtrack to thunderous stretch runs where horses spread nine across on the lush green.
The first time I walked into Flemington Racecourse, I absolutely knew I had found horseplayer Valhalla. This was January, and I swore I had found the only track in the world where everyone was smiling. On Tuesday, when we’re going to the election polls, Australia will shut down for the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup Handicap, a grueling two-mile heat with a purse of nearly $6 million.
My mate, Kerry Lonergan, will be in this space tomorrow to explain what exactly “the race that stops a nation” is and who you should bet in it. He’s an entertaining tour guide who taught me a great many things about his country but none more important than: a “Gorilla” is a $1,000 bet, a “Monkey” is $500, a “Spot” is $100, and a “Brick” is $20.
I’m here to tell you today that the horses from Down Under are the most durable and well cared for equine athletes in the world. Look no further than the Melbourne Cup Favorite, So You Think: He has now won five in a row, the last four at the Group I level.
Most remarkable of all is the fact that So You Think won the mile and a quarter Cox Plate on Oct. 23, wheeled back and captured the mile and a quarter Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday, and will contest the Melbourne Cup on only two days’ rest. That’s two Kentucky Derbys, followed by a marathon, in 10 days............."

The Australian racing calendar - with top level races concentrated within a 6-8 weeks period once in spring and once in autumn, encourages (or more appropriately, forces) horses to be trained and raced that way. Bart Cummings is an influential trainer there and he has been doing this way for the last 40 years. A top horse like SYT who can go through and win all these is really remarkable. But on the other hand, I would also say a 3yo who can sustain 3 consecutive dirt races at 10f, 9.5f and 12f within a 5-weeks period is remarkable. A 19-for-19 racemare is very remarkable. a 3yo winning 6 Group One turf races between May and October at distance from 8f to 12f is also very remarkable. A steeplechaser winning 4 King George VI Chase and 2 Cheltenham Gold Cup is remarkable. Good horses (and many more average horses) can come from everywhere. It is up to us human to give them the opportunity to show what they can do.





"Some Americans are curious about whether you can expect to win three of the most prestigious Grade 1 races in only 11 days," asked Earle Mack. Bart responded with a broad smile as he left the elevator. "I feed them well," he said.



Source: TDN

[StarGirl11]

Does anyone know if TVG will be broadcasting the Melbourne Cup? They're my best bet at catching it live due to how bad video streaming is here.

[Horse's Rear]

"Some Americans are curious about whether you can expect to win three of the most prestigious Grade 1 races in only 11 days," asked Earle Mack. Bart responded with a broad smile as he left the elevator. "I feed them well," he said.


Source: TDN

How can you not like an old thief with a sense of humor like that? Getting caught and suspended for steroid implants caused only a brief vacation in his illustrious career. Isn't it amazing how big and powerful this horse is? He's just a wonder horse. With a healthy appetite.

[Viva Pataca]

How can you not like an old thief with a sense of humor like that? Getting caught and suspended for steroid implants caused only a brief vacation in his illustrious career. Isn't it amazing how big and powerful this horse is? He's just a wonder horse. With a healthy appetite.

Are you referring to this? http://www.smh.com.au/news/horseracing/the-second-cummings/2005/10/21/1129775963983.html

It is Anthony Cummings, Bart's son. Thanks for prompting me to check though.

[Horse's Rear]

Are you referring to this? http://www.smh.com.au/news/horseracing/the-second-cummings/2005/10/21/1129775963983.html

It is Anthony Cummings, Bart's son. Thanks for prompting me to check though.

Right. Anthony took that collar. Bart's year-long suspension came earlier for a betting coup. They're a cheerful pack of rascals. Isn't that horse a marvel? Remarkably big and strong. Very unusual.

[Viva Pataca]

Right. Anthony took that collar. Bart's year-long suspension came earlier for a betting coup. They're a cheerful pack of rascals. Isn't that horse a marvel? Remarkably big and strong. Very unusual.

Yes, he did something very unusual too.

[islandgirl45]

ahem...in regard to this discussion about steroid use, aren't Australian horses tested for banned substances such as this prior to racing?

[Horse's Rear]

Yup. I believe the common view is that only American trainers cheat.

[Insane Crazy]

The wikipedia article for the Melbourne Cup says it goes off around 3:00 PM? Is that in about three hours? My brain doesn't work well with figuring out times.

[Old Bones]

The wikipedia article for the Melbourne Cup says it goes off around 3:00 PM? Is that in about three hours? My brain doesn't work well with figuring out times.

12 am EST

[the Ol'Line Rebel]

Most remarkable of all is the fact that So You Think won the mile and a quarter Cox Plate on Oct. 23, wheeled back and captured the mile and a quarter Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday, and will contest the Melbourne Cup on only two days’ rest. That’s two Kentucky Derbys, followed by a marathon, in 10 days............."


EVIL! CRUEL, CRUEL, CRUEL!!!!

(Isn't that what most here usually cry at this sort of scheduling?)

[Miss Woodford]

How can I watch the race online without subscribing to anything? The sites I've seen (australianracing.com, racingbase.com) won't load.

I found a radio feed from ABC Melbourne, but no video.

[Horse's Rear]

EVIL! CRUEL, CRUEL, CRUEL!!!!

(Isn't that what most here usually cry at this sort of scheduling?)

That may have been what they were crying in 1979, the last time a horse attempted this kind of schedule. Dulcify was favored in that year's Cup, but broke down and was euthanized 5f from the wire.

[Skip Away]

So does it start in about an hour? Guess I better see if TVG is covering it

[arkle]

How can I watch the race online without subscribing to anything? The sites I've seen (australianracing.com, racingbase.com) won't load.

I found a radio feed from ABC Melbourne, but no video.

At The Races (English) coverage... http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4ccf36a9eaf57
You may need to download veetle plug in.

[Songofthesword]

well I just made my wager on so you think. let's go buddy!

[arkle]

At The Races (English) coverage... http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4ccf36a9eaf57
You may need to download veetle plug in.

If that doesn't work, try this... http://www.vip----tv.com/

[Miss Woodford]

If that doesn't work, try this... http://www.vip----tv.com/
My computer freezes when I try to download the veetle plugin. It's frustrating because Veetle has worked for me before.

[Songofthesword]

god damnit

[Miss Woodford]

Americain gets the better of him 3200m a bit too far.

[Curlin]

Americain gets the better of him 3200m a bit too far.

I'm not sure if this is the same horse, but didn't he run somewhere stateside last year? He is a Dynaformer - very cool.

[Viva Pataca]

I'm not sure if this is the same horse, but didn't he run somewhere stateside last year? He is a Dynaformer - very cool.
He was unplaced in the Sword Dancer, Bowling Green and Syncamore last year. A Kentucky-bred he is.

[StarGirl11]

Americain gets the better of him 3200m a bit too far.

IT might not be so much the distance as the quick turnaround. I think its incredible what he's done but maybe running a second mile and a quarter race right before his first 3200 race wasn't the best idea. Just my opinion anyway. Considering everything and that it was his first time at this distance I thought it was a good race.

Edit: Also was I the only one that thought he looked a bit rank in the early stages of the race? I had an eye on him the entire way around and noticed that towards the beginning he was throwing his head quite a bit.

[Skip Away]

Dagnabbit. So You Think was pulling extremely hard at the beginning of the race.

[Songofthesword]

IT might not be so much the distance as the quick turnaround. I think its incredible what he's done but maybe running a second mile and a quarter race right before his first 3200 race wasn't the best idea. Just my opinion anyway. Considering everything and that it was his first time at this distance I thought it was a good race.
it was the distance

if this was a 2800 meter race he is the winner.

unlike our weak trainers, this is quite normal over there. You watch aussie racing you see the same horses week in and week out. they don't have to sit horses for 2 months between starts down there to get run out of their horses.

Gai Waterhouse laughs at our "training and conditioning" of our horses.

[Curlin]

He was unplaced in the Sword Dancer, Bowling Green and Syncamore last year. A Kentucky-bred he is.

This should propel good old Dynagrumpy to the top of the sire list. Very happy indeed for the old man.

Edit: to close to the top. Looks like Giant's Causeway will still be #1.

[Songofthesword]

It just shocks me, that the last 2 winners of the melburone cup are sired by sires who stand in lexington kentucky, yet we can't get a horse that can crack 20 to 1 in a big turf race.

[Skip Away]

I'm not sure if this is the same horse, but didn't he run somewhere stateside last year? He is a Dynaformer - very cool.

Yes Dynaformer out of an Arazi mare.

[Into_the_Mystic]

it was the distance

if this was a 2800 meter race he is the winner.

unlike our weak trainers, this is quite normal over there. You watch aussie racing you see the same horses week in and week out. they don't have to sit horses for 2 months between starts down there to get run out of their horses.

Gai Waterhouse laughs at our "training and conditioning" of our horses.

Agree.. We are wussies compared to them.

Hell of a great race tonight and I still Think So You Think is one hell of a horse to run like he did after just running a few days ago.. Wow....

[StarGirl11]

it was the distance

if this was a 2800 meter race he is the winner.

unlike our weak trainers, this is quite normal over there. You watch aussie racing you see the same horses week in and week out. they don't have to sit horses for 2 months between starts down there to get run out of their horses.

Gai Waterhouse laughs at our "training and conditioning" of our horses.

Okay I'll admit I am very unfamiliar with australian racing at this point. This Melbourne Cup was the first time I had seen any of their races live. Didn't stop me screetching like a maniac while jumping up and down in the fitness center for a horse that only a few days ago I hadn't heard of before though. Will definately be watching more of their races in the future.

[Songofthesword]

Okay I'll admit I am very unfamiliar with australian racing at this point. This Melbourne Cup was the first time I had seen any of their races live. Didn't stop me screetching like a maniac while jumping up and down in the fitness center for a horse that only a few days ago I hadn't heard of before though. Will definately be watching more of their races in the future.

yes that's how they do it down there.

In fact I'm quite sure shocking last year was in the cox plate. M Diva ran in the cox plate a few times in her three peat if I am not mistaken as well.

[Viva Pataca]

yes that's how they do it down there.

In fact I'm quite sure shocking last year was in the cox plate. M Diva ran in the cox plate a few times in her three peat if I am not mistaken as well.

And the second place finisher, Maluckyday, also raced 3 days ago and won the Lexus Stakes at 2500m. That's how he gets into the Cup. He even has less exeperience than So You Think, a 4yo with 5 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds in 8 career starts - 100% in the money.

Many of them will have a rest now before the autumn races coming up again starting in March. There is no Group 1 race after mid November to mid February (I might be slightly off with the exact timing) at all distances.

[islandgirl45]

Is there a video link yet anywhere for the Melbourne Cup? I checked You Tube a minute ago and didn't see it there.

[Songofthesword]

And the second place finisher, Maluckyday, also raced 3 days ago and won the Lexus Stakes at 2500m. That's how he gets into the Cup. He even has less exeperience than So You Think, a 4yo with 5 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds in 8 career starts - 100% in the money.

Many of them will have a rest now before the autumn races coming up again starting in March. There is no Group 1 race after mid November to mid February (I might be slightly off with the exact timing) at all distances.


Yes that's what I notice. you will get a big slew of races, then some somewhat meh weeks. Like, now you probably wont' get some really good races until around hollywood park time our time, the spring /summer Hollywood park time. Then it's wall to wall with races like the golden slipper.

[reverberate]

what a race though and americain looked good i cant lie. just goes to show you how good dynaformer is. i was hoping campanologist would run well but i guess it was too far for him.

[Songofthesword]

just a random rant; this should be hrtv every night.

no gimmicks, no replays of shows, no horse whispering shows, just get out the way and give me aussie racing. This is how it was when I first found hrtv. Aussie racing to about 1am

[Viva Pataca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3QxFt6AA8Q

[Songofthesword]

they just said on the telecast some horse broke his leg.

[Skip Away]

they just said on the telecast some horse broke his leg.

I think it was Descarado.

[Songofthesword]

That freaking sucks he just won a big race like last week. maybe the week before. I know Gai Trains him

[doriemus]

Timeform have officially given him a world rating of 133, the highest I believe in the world.

Third today, what a marvellous effort.

[Kurenai]

Wish he wouldn't have been so rank, he was not happy being stuck there in between horses. He spent the entire race fighting his jockey. Wish he would have taken him to the outside, but it's not like he had much choice in such a big field.

No shame in running third at all. In my opinion he is still the best turfer in the world over classic distance races. Was a really good race and a thriller to watch. I love big fields and longer races.

[Kurenai]

On a completely unrelated note:

Americans are often complaining that the horses have changed, that the US bred horses can't run in route races anymore. This race just further backed up my opinion that the problem lies in the training. Can't get stamina if ya train em like Quarter Horses god damn it.

[Kurenai]

I think it was Descarado.

He didn't finish cause his saddle came off is what I read, not that he was injured.

[Horse's Rear]

People might want to reflect a bit on length of campaigns. As has been noted already, these horses don't race significantly more than US horses. If you were looking at the form guide, you would have noticed that they spend months doing no racing, then race quite close together in intense, abbreviated campaigns. Different is not inherently better.

[Viva Pataca]

People might want to reflect a bit on length of campaigns. As has been noted already, these horses don't race significantly more than US horses. If you were looking at the form guide, you would have noticed that they spend months doing no racing, then race quite close together in intense, abbreviated campaigns. Different is not inherently better.

Agreed. Just look at Blind Luck. The program in Australia (or Japan) just doesn't support such a campaign. She is supported by her ability and her connection's aggressiveness in running her across the nation. If the exact her was raced in Australia, we will see something totally different.

[Skip Away]

He didn't finish cause his saddle came off is what I read, not that he was injured.

Good!

[Songofthesword]

I dont' care so much about the amount of times ran, that's a silly argument, a top class horse becuse of the money isn't going to race more than 8 times a year give or take, no need to.


What I care about is how far they run, when they do race.

[doriemus]

Many of them will have a rest now before the autumn races coming up again starting in March. There is no Group 1 race after mid November to mid February (I might be slightly off with the exact timing) at all distances.

We still have the big Perth summer meeting onwards from November 20. It officially started last Saturday, the 30th October.

However the big two Group 1 races are the 20th November and the 4th December of this year.

http://www.perthracing.com.au/events.aspx?MenuID=251

Its apparently a ripper of a carnival, except of course for the heat. There is now some great prizemoney on offer throughout particularly the Group 1 on the 4th December and now the Winterbottom Stakes. The Winterbottom is a Group 2 event, and I believe is trying to obtain Group 1 status eventually.

They have a good case to put forward to the Patterns Committee. The last few winners have included Takeover Target, Ellicorsam, Miss Andretti and Marasco.

[Horse's Rear]

He didn't finish cause his saddle came off is what I read, not that he was injured.

Hardly.


NASH RAWILLER (Descarado, FAILED TO FINISH): "It felt like something got on my back just before we straightened. He pulled up a bit iffy and felt like he was going to drop dead at the furlong. I just hope he's alright. He travelled well before that."

Among other comments:


BRETT PREBBLE (Linton, 21ST): "He hung out quite bad all the way and wasn't comfortable in the going at all. He slipped quite badly on the home turn and lost his action and lost his confidence and I just sat up on him."

MICHAEL WALKER (Zavite, LAST): "We had the one-one on a slow speed and had every chance. He didn't pull up all that flash."

MICHAEL RODD (Shocking, 18TH): "The tempo was too steady and I had to go back to last. He ripped a plate off round the back and didn't really recover from that and has pulled up a bit lame."

CRAIG WILLIAMS (Monaco Consul, 14TH): "We were in a great position going out of the straight and then he got forced back to the inside where he's not comfortable. He's pulled up pretty distressed after the run."

[Saintly]

That may have been what they were crying in 1979, the last time a horse attempted this kind of schedule. Dulcify was favored in that year's Cup, but broke down and was euthanized 5f from the wire.

He broke down because he was galloped on from behind by (eventual winner) Hyperno

Nothing to do with his schedule

[Horse's Rear]

He broke down because he was galloped on from behind by (eventual winner) Hyperno

Nothing to do with his schedule

Wrong. He was galloped on, but that was because he stopped so suddenly when he broke down. His fatal injury was a broken pelvis and you don't get that from being galloped on.

[doriemus]

Actually Horse's Rear, he kept galloping on for a bit of distance after Hyperno's heels clipped up his back. Then his jockey struggled for quite some distance to pull him up, and went on for a bit as he tried to pull the horse up. He wasn't just suddenly pulled up, he actually kept going. From what I have been told, as he kept going he damaged himself, and by the time he stopped, was an absolute mess. His whole back legs were stripped to pieces courtesy of Hyperno and, his pelvis a disaster.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/racing/mystery-still-clouds-what-really-happened-to-dulcify/story-fn4cyin0-1225793537912

http://www.barnesphotography.com.au/dulcify/page2.htm

[Saintly]

Wrong. He was galloped on, but that was because he stopped so suddenly when he broke down. His fatal injury was a broken pelvis and you don't get that from being galloped on.

Not wrong at all. That's an exclusive view you hold. Never seen, heard or read any suggestion that Dulcify broke down prior to being galloped on. Hyperno, reknowned as an erratic racer, galloped on him because the pace eased off in what was already a muddlingly run race.

From jockey Brent Thomson

“I said at the time that I felt that when the pace slackened around the 1600 metres that he was galloped on behind and it was Hyperno behind him.”

From trainer Colin Hayes

“Brent thought that he was a certainty in it & he was travelling beautifully when the accident happened”

If you, HR, are who I think you are then you are indeed a very knowledgeable poster on this forum. But in this case you are drawing a very long & flawed bow to support your point of view.

Which has drifted a long way from So You Think's status as opined in the thread title.

[Kurenai]

Wrong. He was galloped on, but that was because he stopped so suddenly when he broke down. His fatal injury was a broken pelvis and you don't get that from being galloped on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14tiMwkOvIA

Watch and learn. It has an interview with his Jockey.

[Viva Pataca]

He is going to Coolmore.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/so-you-think-joins-irish-stable-in-huge-stud-deal-20101103-17e1v.html

Aside from the stud deal, this is also amazing ... it is like a horse can be ascertain HOY in April.


So You Think is certain to be named the Australian Horse Of The Year despite the fact there are almost nine months of the season remaining following five incredible wins in succession in Melbourne this spring before his gallant third in last Tuesday's Cup.

[Horse's Rear]

Actually Horse's Rear, he kept galloping on for a bit of distance after Hyperno's heels clipped up his back. Then his jockey struggled for quite some distance to pull him up, and went on for a bit as he tried to pull the horse up. He wasn't just suddenly pulled up, he actually kept going. From what I have been told, as he kept going he damaged himself, and by the time he stopped, was an absolute mess. His whole back legs were stripped to pieces courtesy of Hyperno and, his pelvis a disaster.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/racing/mystery-still-clouds-what-really-happened-to-dulcify/story-fn4cyin0-1225793537912

http://www.barnesphotography.com.au/dulcify/page2.htm

You offer two links here. The first of these is an article about Dulcify being rendered after he was euthanized, and in that story, the claim is that Dulcify ran up on Hyperno near the halfway point of the race:



At the 1800m Dulcify was travelling well. Then he clipped the heels of Hyperno.


Your second link puts Hyperno running up on Dulcify at roughly the same spot:

It was a slowly run race and Dulcify settled in eighth position with all going well til the halfway mark. At this stage directly behind Dulcify was Hyperno who was known for his unruly racing style and as the pace slowed slightly Hyperno connected with Dulcify’s hind legs.

I am happy to accept this latter version and assume that the first one simply garbles the terminology. I made a wrong assumption about the timing of Dulcify getting stepped on, given the nature of the fatal breakdown.

But a fractured pelvis inside the 6f pole is not caused by getting stepped on 3 furlongs earlier. When a horse fractures his pelvis, he comes to a stop. Suddenly. Abruptly. Within a stride or two. He has no choice. It is either that or go down. There is no mechanical way that a horse can continue racing with a fractured pelvis for more than 3f.

[horsecrazygal21]

http://www.dgrracing.com.au/db/news_images/SoYouThinkMingDyn2.jpg
So You Think headshot after the Ming Dynasty as a 3yo. Photo courtesy of DGR Racing

http://images.smh.com.au/ftsmh/ffximage/2009/10/18/so_you_think_wideweb__470x329,0.jpg
So You Think at track work on the eve of the 2010 Cox Plate. Photo courtesy of Vince Caligiuri

I think I'm in love! What a handsome guy!

[islandgirl45]

He is going to Coolmore.


The folks who have been training and taking care of him are "devastated" and "bitterly upset" that he's leaving them. The picture of So You Think with the stable foreman is adorable.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/so-you-think-gone-for-all-money/story-fn67siys-1225948511266

So You Think gone for all money


Matt Stewart
From: Herald Sun (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/)
November 05, 2010 6:53PM

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2010/11/05/1225948/525891-so-you-think.jpg
So You Think, pictured with stable foreman Reg Fleming, departs the stables of Bart Cummings at Flemington in Melbourne. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: Herald Sun

Excerpt:
"THE mood at Saintly Place was sombre at first light as superstar So You Think quietly slipped out of town.
The dual Cox Plate winner was loaded on a truck bound for Dato Tan Chin Nam's agistment property at Bowral, New South Wales, where he will rest before being put into quarantine, then flown to Ireland.

He will continue his career in Europe under the part-ownership of Irish racing and breeding giant Coolmore Stud, the result of a controversial deal last week that values the horse at about $50 million.

Trainer Bart Cummings was devastated and angry about the sale, accusing Dato Tan's racing manager Duncan Ramage of secretly arranging the deal.

Cummings Melbourne foreman Reg Fleming, who patted the champion for the last time, said the staff felt the same - bitterly upset......."