Although So You Are is not the favourite for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, he would be a popular choice for victory, largely on account of the anticipated reaction from his trainer, Bjorn Baker.
The Warwick Farm trainer is known for his exuberant celebrations after winning major races, making him one of Australia’s most cherished trainers. In contrast, the owner, Stuart Ramsay, is expected to display a more profound emotional response.
Tears are anticipated if the son of So You Think clinches the $10 million Group 1 prize. Ramsay was overcome with emotion when he received the news that So You Are had secured a place in the Melbourne Cup field, a result of the 1kg penalty awarded for his win in the Bendigo Cup last Wednesday. Ramsay confirmed that the race would be a tribute to his late father, John.
“My father, he always had the Melbourne Cup winner on the next year’s calendar. He loved it,” Ramsay remarked when asked about the significance of having a runner. “He’s been dead 40 years, so it’s taken me a while to work on it for him. Hopefully we can win it.”
Ramsay’s distinctive silks are no strangers to the winner’s circle at Flemington during Cup Week, having previously celebrated Group 1 triumphs with horses like Sky Cuddle and Ancient Song. His success as a breeder is also highlighted by the achievements of Australian Guineas winner Mr Murphy and the highly-regarded Hong Kong champion Able Friend.
There would be a significant element of irony if So You Are were to become his greatest achievement as an owner, considering that racing him was not the initial intention. The colt was offered for sale at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale but failed to reach the $100,000 reserve set by Ramsay.
“We didn’t get a bid for him and we only race the rejects,” Ramsay stated. “But, this horse, there’s something about him. He gallops good, he gets his head down, the air goes straight into those big lungs of his and he can keep going.”
So You Are has consistently performed this way in his last four starts, with his Bendigo Cup win preceded by victories in the Group 3 Sydney St Leger (2600m), Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), and the Listed Tatts Cup (2400m). His only other start for Baker saw him finish second in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick on August 22, his first start since being transferred from Stirling Osland, who managed So You Are for his initial 23 races.
Among So You Are’s runs for Osland was a second placing to current stablemate Thebudgiesmugla in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), a race that has featured in the form of the past two Melbourne Cup winners, Knight’s Choice and Half Yours. So You Are is the only participant from this year’s Caloundra Cup competing in Tuesday’s significant race.
He drew barrier seven during Saturday night’s barrier draw, a selection that Ramsay indicated pleased both his trainer and jockey, Rachel King.
“He wanted four to seven, I wanted two, but two had already gone,” Ramsay explained. “There were only five and seven to go when he was draw out and I got one of them so all good. He might get beat, but I tell you what, he’ll be there for a long, long way and it’s just wonderful to have a starter.”
So You Are is one of four horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup field that were bred in Australia, alongside Knight’s Choice, Strictly Business, and Zakouma. Historically, Australian-bred horses like Viewed (2008), Shocking (2009), and Vow And Declare (2019) have won the race this century, with Australian breeders now aiming for a third consecutive win following the successes of Knight’s Choice and Half Yours.
With the Melbourne Cup just around the corner, exploring the betting markets for this prestigious race at various Australian betting sites is a popular choice.