Talented youngster DO YOU JUST (2g So You Think x Estijmaam, by Exceed and Excel) delivered a powerhouse performance in the Listed Skycity Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie in New Zealand on Saturday with the galloper running a very impressive time of 1:36.89 in the 1600-metre feature.
DO YOU JUST proved to be a shrewd buy as the 2-year-old gelding led from start to finish in a stunning 6.5 lengths victory.
Purchased for $250,000 by Wexford Stables at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka National Yearling Sale, this win was his fifth start and his maiden victory. Big things are now expected of DO YOU JUST who has earned his spell and is expected to run further than a mile when he returns.
Ridden by Warren Kennedy, the pair led for every step of the way in New Zealand’s longest two-year-old race and romped home by six and a half lengths.
Kennedy sent DO YOU JUST straight to the lead and controlled the race from there to win as he pleased.
DO YOU JUST has always been held in high regard by his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and after being unplaced in two early-season appearances in November and December, he made a promising return to action in the autumn with a second placing and then a last start sixth in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.
Many of that Te Rapa cohort headed to Ellerslie for Saturday’s rematch in the Champagne Stakes, and the increased distance put DO YOU JUST in his element.
Kennedy sent the So You Think colt straight to the lead and controlled the race from there, with only an over-racing Wyndstorm for company within the first 400m of the race.
Kennedy began to up the ante down the side of the Ellerslie track, and DO YOU JUST soon shook free of Wyndstorm and pinched a break on the field.
DO YOU JUST kicked again in the straight and went further and further in front, powering away to score one of the most dominant victories of the two-year-old season.
“I was happy to go forward and lead today, let him use his action, and he showed what he can do when he extends off that. That was a dominant performance by a horse that still has a lot of improvement to come.
“I think he’s a really smart horse. He’s just got to learn his trade. He’s still very raw and has a few rocks in his head. Once we do a bit more work with him and put some cement there, I think he’ll be very good.”
For all his raw talent, his trainer Lance O’Sullivan said DO YOU JUST showed genuine maturity for the first time with his big win on Saturday.
“He’s (DO YOU JUST) a horse we do like, and it was probably the first time he’s ever got his act together, to be fair.” - Lance O'Sullivan
“I’ll be honest – what he did, it didn’t surprise us. I’m not just saying that. We thought to get him running in a mile, we gave him a couple of runs early on. He went to the paddock for six weeks and came back out. He kept up a good gallop... He’s run close to two seconds quicker than the other grade horses over the trip," he said. It certainly looked like he’s going to run a lot further. That was what it looked like to us.”
O’Sullivan said majority-owners Waikato Stud would have loved for DO YOU JUST to remain a colt, but after recently gelding him, he added DO YOU JUST now has the ability to develop into a consistent racehorse.
“See what happens. It’s everybody’s pipedream, and for one in a thousand you might get it right. That was the plan, but he gave us the impression early on that he wasn’t going to make it as a colt. To be fair to the horse, he still hasn’t learned what it’s about. He’s got a long way to go. He’ll go to the paddock now, have a nice spell and he’ll be one of those 3-year-olds who can run a mile and further. It’s a matter of getting his act together. But he’s certainly got a lot of raw ability.”
When O’Sullivan first laid eyes on DO YOU JUST he saw plenty of physical potential, but knew he’d have a steep learning curve in front of him.
“He’s just a very athletic horse. He’s a very big, tall and lean horse,” he said. He’s a very, very immature horse. If you looked at him now, you’d say ‘how the hell are you running him in a 2-year-old race?’ He certainly doesn’t look like a 2-year-old. He looks like he’s going to make a nice racehorse when he’s four. So, what he’s doing at the present time is just pretty much on raw ability.
“He’s certainly not a 2-year-old. If you went through our whole yard and looked at all our 2-year-olds and I said, ‘that’s the one running a 2-year-old race next week’, you’d say ‘you’re kidding’. He looks like he just wants time now.”
DO YOU JUST was foaled and raised at Yarraman Park before selling as a weanling and then being offered as a yearling in NZ.
DO YOU JUST is the best of four winners from four foals to race from unraced Exceed and Excel mare Estijmaam.
Magical Cross with genetic rating score of A 389% is working a treat!
This is the 2nd Stakes Winner (both geldings) bred on the exact cross of So You Think from an Exceed And Excel Broodmare.
The other stakes winner is PERFECT THOUGHT who won the VRC Carbine Club S., Gr.3, 2d BRC Queensland Guineas, Gr.2, 4th VRC Anzac Day S., L.
There have been 14 Colts bred this way to have raced producing 7 winners; 2 Stakes Winners; 30 Race Wins.
Whilst So You Think over Danehill line (and his sons and grandsons) broodmares has now produced 19 Stakes Winners with 6 at Gr1 level from the sire’s tally of 61 stakes winners (31.2%) to date.
Keen followers and observers of Dynamic Syndications will recognise that at the Magic Millions this year we purchased a colt bred this exact way - by the champion sire SO YOU THINK from the mare SULTAH (by Exceed And Excel).
Our Colt
SULTAH won three races and is a half-sister to Champion 3yo REBEL RAIDER & SWs SHAMOLINE WARRIOR and CADILLAC MOUNTAIN.
TARAAYEF
HAYBAH,
MURAAHIB
SULTAH has produced 7 foals to race – All Winners including 2 Stakes Winners: TARAAYEF & HAYBAH, 1 stakes placegetter MURAAHIB and GHENWAA - Dam of 2 Stakes Horses
TASHI
& Dynamic Syndications current stakes performer
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- RAPT.
SULTAH is the daughter of Gr1 placed PICHOLINE.
Eagle-Eyed owners and followers would have picked up the fact that this was the first colt we have made available to trainer JAMES CUMMINGS.
James favourite horse was SO YOU THINK and the fact that the broodmare is a proven producer, and the genetic cross is awesome, and as a physical he’s a terrific type, it is a colt that we are rightfully proud to rekindle the relationship with JAMES after his 8-year stint as head trainer at Godolphin.
Therefore the 6.5 lengths massacre by DO YOU JUST over his hapless peers at a mile in the Champagne Stakes is timely to remind to our owners and followers of the research that goes into our yearling selections and identifying genetic trends gives our owners the best racetrack opportunities.
The fact that he is being trained by JAMES CUMMINGS is icing on top.
Whilst we also ensured the share price is exceptionally affordable at $9,250 inc GST to 31 August.
It was no surprise that inquiry has been strong since we launched the yearling colt last week.
To find out more contact ADAM WATT at Dynamic Syndications on 02 9540 1511 or 0409 464 378 and have a chat.