Well, the probable favorite for the Melbourne Cup just won a race today, and he's running in Australia's biggest race on Tuesday.
So You Think won a top level stakes, the Group 1 Mackinnon on Saturday at 2,000 meters (1.2 miles), and he'll run in the $6 million Melbourne Cup at 3,200 meters on Tuesday.
So You Think has won 8 of 11 career starts, so he's clearly a superhorse. But he gives new meaning to superhorse if he pulls off a win after only two days rest against a field of 18 other top horses.
I suppose it's a cultural thing. It used to be in this country that horses ran a lot more often. Not that long ago, people wouldn't bat an eye at a horse running back in a week. Today in the US, at least at the highest levels of competition, a minimum of three weeks is usually required and sometimes quite a bit more.
So when I read that So You Think raced today, I was like, WHAT? I thought it was a mistake, a misprint, an April Fools joke, since it's Spring in Australia.
But no, it's just a finely-tuned beast on top of his game, and connections that have no fear.
I love it.
Of course, the welfare of the horse is always the top priority, but owners and trainers in this country are far too conservative about what their athletes can do. Exhibit A: The controversy over Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Rachel retires after a fantastic work. Zenyatta's connections are accused of "dodging" certain competition.
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Zenyatta and her handlers. She has stayed sound and healthy and has won every race in her career. What more is there?
But there's a different kind of respect for teams that aggressively place their horses and trust their athletic ability. Yes, Thoroughbreds are fragile, but they have also proven to be amazingly resilient. If you have horse, let him (or her) run.
And if you have a horse that likes win, by all means put them on the track every chance you get.
So I Think.
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