By Elliot Dean

Bart Cummings has reaffirmed himself as the genius of Australian horse racing after an amazing training performance which saw three year old So You Think take out the Cox Plate on Saturday at Moonee Valley. It was Bart's third Group 1 victory in as many weeks, after scoring equally surprising wins in the Toorak Handicap (Allez Wonder) and Caulfield Cup (Viewed).

Despite it being a $9.50 chance in the $3 million Group 1 WFA race, not many people in the industry rated So You Think a serious contender. Three year olds can't win the Cox, it was only his fifth start, the pressure would be too much, the list went on. His starting price had more to do with once a year punters jumping on the Bart factor.

In hindsight it was a great move, as the Cummings-trained colt led all the way to win by 2.5 lengths from the other 3 year old Manhattan Rain, with veteran stayer Zipping finishing third.

Jockey Glen Boss surprised most people when he took So You Think to the lead from the start. But the decision paid off, as the race was over before a number of the big guns could even get going.

"I couldn't believe coming around the turn I was that far in front, this doesn't happen in Cox Plates", Boss said. The horse settled nicely in front and "No-one really bothered him".

It was a 3 year old quinella with Gai Waterhouse's young colt Manhattan Rain also racing on the speed, and never being passed by a horse behind him. Jockey Craig Williams was very happy with his run and felt coming into the final turn he could win the race. But So You Think kicked in the straight and was too good, giving Cummings his fourth Cox Plate.

"It's turned out quite well, really" Cummings said after the race, in what seemed like a massive understatement. But when you've been winning as many Group 1's as the master trainer has lately, it seemed quite fitting.

Strong pre-race favourite Whobegotyou never threatened, sitting well back in the field and battling away into sixth place. Second favourite Heart Of Dreams was disappointing, getting a lovely run but doing nothing in the last 800m and finishing seventh. It's possible both horses didn't handle the distance as well as they'd hoped.

Aside from So You Think, the run of the race was undoubtedly from 2007 winner El Segundo. From well back in the field, he rounded up a number of runners and flashed home in the straight, just missing the placings. It would have been a fairytale finish for the 8 year old fan favourite and his trainer Colin Little, who recently lost his wife to cancer.

But the day belonged to 82 year old Bart and his 3 year old star.

"Yes, he's a nice young horse, isn't he?

Enough said.

Words from the jockeys:

Glen Boss (So You Think) 1st

"This is unbelievable. I'm a bit gobsmacked. I thought I had the race won at the half-mile."

Craig Williams (Manhattan Rain) 2nd

"I couldn't have asked for a better run. The winner put two lengths on me rounding the turn buy to his credit my bloke still fought it out to the line".

Steven Arnold (Zipping) 3rd

"He came off the bridle a long way out but he really toughed it out to the line".

Luke Nolen (El Segundo) 4th

"He ran super. He had a nice run and just kept coming. He ran out of his skin".

Shane Scriven (Scenic Shot) 5th

"He made a dash from the half mile and he probably went a little bit quicker than I wanted him to".

Damien Oliver (Whobegotyou) 6th

"He settled further back than I would have liked but he had his chance. Just a strong tempo and a tough 2040m found him out".

Craig Newitt (Heart Of Dreams) 7th

"Disappointing. He had every chance".

Nash Rawiller (Rock Kingdom) 8th

"He missed the start by 2 lengths but he still ran very good. If he had jumped okay he would have been right in the finish".