So You Think fans were hoping his exciting 2YO colt Political Debate would win the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but when he came up half a length short there was consolation when his progressive mare Palaisipan captured the Group II BRC Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m).
Trained by Chris Munce, Palaisipan was having her third run back from a spell and appreciated getting back on firmer footing to score a three-quarter length win for Luke Tarrant over the I Am Invincible duo of Najmaty and Salateen.
Bred by Gooree Stud, Palaisipan was part of their reduction sale at Magic Millions National Sale last year with Chris Munce picking up the unraced two year-old filly for $40,000 on the advice of her previous trainer Mark Newnham.
“Mark Newnham had her as an early yearling. I’m good friends with Mark and I was looking for a tried horse, and I rang him and said ‘what do you think of her?’”said Chris Munce.
“He said ‘I haven’t done much with her, but she’s a nice filly’. We ended up buying her for $40,000, which was probably cheap now.
“I got her home, and everyone who rode her said I bought a lemon, so I was a bit worried.
“I thought ‘oh, what’s going on here?’
“But as soon as we got her fit, and got her up and going, she’s always showed that touch of class.”
Palaisipan has won six of 11 starts winning over $310,000 and is the first and only foal of her dam Touch of Red, who died in 2018.
An unraced daughter of Fastnet Rock, Touch of Red was a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group II winner and sire Smart Missile from the family of Group I winner and influential sire Northern Meteor.
Palaisipan is the 42nd stakes-winner and the 11th this season for So You Think who is in a tense battle with I Am Invincible for the title of Champion Australian Sire by earnings for this season with his 2YO colt Political Debate holding the promise of big things to come in the future.
Second in the Group I BRC JJ Atkins, the Chris Waller trained colt will head to the spelling paddock with a win and three placings from just four starts and earnings in excess of $280,000.
His regular rider James McDonald was disappointed he did not end his juvenile season with a Group I win.
"It was disappointing to run second. He went unbelievable, he's a beautiful horse who will be a really good horse in the spring and autumn,” McDonald said.
“He just lost it at the start. He jumped well but just didn't muster for the first 50 metres and the last place we wanted to be was back where we were. He sliced through beautifully, we got a lovely run through and he attacked the line really well the last furlong, furlong and a half. It was a brilliant run."
