Royal Ascot 2011 - Rewilding under Frankie Dettori wins Prince of Wales’s Stakes, overcomes So You Think
Six months away from his native home Australia, So You Think, gained much respect and recognition for covering middle distances by bolting through Irish race courses where he bagged two wins with ultimate ease, as if he was strolling down the park for a win and hence the title “wonderhorse”.
His European escapades had proven to be successful but the real test came in the shape of the Royal Ascot. He participated in the Grade One Prince of Wales’s Stakes, with purse money, of $655,660.
Little did So You Think and his connections know that they would have to contend with Rewilding to land the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and prove that the five year old bay colt has that star quality to perform at any level.
So You Think had a successful tour of Ireland where he captured two stakes and before that known as the champion Australian horse, who won four Group One races, in a row.
Rewilding, on the other hand, hasn’t been a household name. Owned by Sheikh The son of Tiger Hill was last seen on 26 March at a race track when he was charging down to win by 3 ½ lengths in Dubai Sheema Classic.
In August 2010, Rewilding captured a Grade Two win in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, and, after that he came in third before Workforce in the Grade One Investec Derby.
So You Think, was hugely expected to celebrate after passing the wire first because he was the clear favorite to do so.
However, Rewilding was there, about to win it. Another horse in contention to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes was Twice Over, who grabbed the second position in the same race last year, and won the English Grade One Coral Eclipse.
The gates were loaded with seven horses and Frankie Dettori, who was riding Rewilding, broke impressively but was pushed back as the field was already narrow and Jan Vermeer assumed the leaders position with an impressive run to set the pace.
The four year old colt maintained a brisk pace and opened up a 10-length lead, with Debussy running in at second.
Entering into the final turn Jan Vermeer was still not challenged but so you think was gearing up for the final assault as the finish line grew closer. He did what he had to do to gain control and forged a two-length lead over Jan Vermeer.
At this point jockey Frankie Dettori had his horse Rewilding calmed and did not urge to kick it until he felt the time was right. Dettori saw an opening on the outside and rushed to cease the moment, unleashed a strong drive, and, gained on So You Think at a brisk pace.
With two furlongs remaining So You Think and Rewilding were urged by their jockeys to finish the race but Frankie Dettori edged past So You Can Think to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes with a final time of 2 minutes and 4.24 seconds.
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