SO YOU THINK failed his biggest test in Europe so far when beaten a long neck in a thrilling finish by the Godolphin stable's Rewilding in this morning's Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The five year-old, now trained by Aidan O'Brien, was second behind his stable mate and pacemaker Jan Vemeer for much of the 2000 metre race, before his jockey Ryan Moore kicked four lengths clear of the field at the start of the home straight.
It appeared he had the race won but Rewilding, ridden by Britain's most popular jockey Frankie Dettori, ran down the two time Cox Plate winner in the shadow of the post in a time just outside the course record.
The pair had pulled six lengths clear of outsider Sri Putra in third, with group one winners Planteur and Twice Over well beaten behind.
The result was a massive upset as English punters had sent off So You Think at odds of around $1.30, while Rewilding was $9.5. Aidan O'Brien was quick to blame himself for the five year-old's defeat, claiming he did not train him hard enough for the contest after his two facile wins in Ireland last month.
In words which may well produce a wry smile on former trainer Bart Cummings' face, O'Brien said: "I suppose I would have to take responsibility for that defeat. He won his first two starts very easily and I didn't get stuck into him at home because he did everything so easy.
"But he's having a big strong heavy blow after the race, a fitness blow, and I would expect plenty of improvement for next time." Irish based O'Brien also claimed that this morning's race was the first time So You Think would have been asked to run at such a fast pace over 2000 metres and that he may have spoiled his chances by pulling hard in the first 400 metres.
A disappointed Ryan Moore said So You Think "just didn't pick up like I expected" while winning rider Frankie Dettori was thrilled with his mount, the winner of a 2400 metre group one race in Dubai at his last start.
"I never gave up and it was two great horses battling it out, I'm delighted," he said. "My horse hasn't got the credit he deserved so I'm delighted that he's won here today and shown how good he is."
So You Think is now likely to run in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown next month which is also run over 2000 metres.
