Racing: Dato Tan thinks positive

Jockey Steven Arnold riding So You Think. Photo / Getty Images

So You Think may be losing favour with Melbourne Cup punters but he remains number one with those who matter most.

Owner Dato Tan Chin Nam says a final decision on whether the dual Cox Plate winner runs in Tuesday's Cup will be left to trainer Bart Cummings with the chances at 90 per cent.

So You Think was displaced as favourite for the Cup yesterday with last year's winner Shocking regaining top billing.

Doubts about So You Think running 3200m seem behind his loss of favour but Dato Tan says no one should underestimate him.

"He is a good horse and a good horse can overcome anything," Dato Tan said. "He is a champion and if he can stay he will win.

Dato Tan said the forecast of wet weather and a soft track would not be a reason to keep him at home.

"He'll run rain or shine. A horse like this must be given a chance."

Dato Tan is the Melbourne Cup's most successful owner having won four with Think Big (1974 and '75), Saintly (1996) and Viewed two years ago, all trained by Cummings.

So You Think is at $1.60 to win his clash with Shocking ($6) in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes - the traditional lead-in to the Melbourne Cup for Cummings' Melbourne Cup runners.

Shoot Out, who is also headed to the Cup, is next at $10 with his jockey Corey Brown having a scare at Canterbury races yesterday when he was headbutted by one of his mounts.

Brown was stood down from his final ride but was sure he would be fine come Saturday.

- AAP