The defeat of Australian superstar So You Think by Godolphin's Rewilding in a stunning renewal of the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot came as a major shock to those in the racing game who had perceived the Ballydoyle trained colt to be well nigh unbeatable, writes Elliot Slater.
It also came as a major shock and a very nasty surprise to the many 'professional 'punters who had rushed in to back the son of High Chaparral from 1/2 down to 4/11 favourite at the off, but for most of the way odds-on backers would have been on pretty good terms with themselves as Ryan Moore travelled well tracking the pace before taking over a little more than two furlongs from home. Quickening in style, So You Think bounded around three lengths clear, but as they passed the furlong pole it was obvious he wasn't getting any further away and that Frankie Dettori was conjuring a tremendous run from the high-class Rewilding, a horse who stays much further than the 10 furlongs of Wednesday's contest. Those following the horse racing betting would have watch on nervously as the race unfolded.
The last furlong felt one of the longest this correspondent has ever seen as gradually Rewilding bridged the gap, Moore's mount clearly running out of gas in the shadow of the post and being caught in the last three strides as the Italian great produced the perfect ride to get the ultra-game Rewilding home by a neck. Already those that have seen it all in the sport have put the contest up there with the great 1975 dual between Grundy and Bustino.
O'Brien confessed that he had left So You Think a gallop short of full fitness, a cardinal sin when racing at championship level, however both So You think and Rewilding could meet again next month in the King VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot over an extra quarter mile. With Workforce, St Nicholas Abbey, and Snow Fairy amongst other likely contenders it promises to be a race to savour.