Having twice been relegated to stakes placings behind The Budgiesmugla during the winter, the capable stayer So You Are finally achieved a notable success in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.
So You Are ($3) raced close to the pace throughout and was left in the lead before the final corner, sustaining a strong run to the finish line to comfortably win Saturday’s Listed race by 1-3/4 lengths from Fernao ($6.50), with Amplify ($7.50) a further half-neck back.
The favourite, Thebudgiesmugla ($2.90), did not seem to appreciate the firm track conditions, finishing in fourth position.
A recent addition to Bjorn Baker’s stable, So You Are is campaigned by the Ramsey family, with patriarch Stuart Ramsey having been a long-term supporter of the yard.
“When I first came over he was one of the first people to give me a horse, so to win a good race like this at Randwick is very special,” Baker stated.
“I’ve only had him for the two starts. I’ve been very lucky to get a readymade horse and he’s fairly bombproof.
“It worked out really well today. We were able to put him up there.”
Thebudgiesmugla had been aiming to continue its perfect record over 2400m in the Drinkwise Cup. Despite suffering its first defeat over the journey in six starts, Baker felt the horse had genuine excuses.
“He was okay. Just the firm track, he’s going to be better (on softer ground),” he said.
“He’s going to improve off that, and I wouldn’t be too worried going forward with him. Maybe the race shape worked against him a bit today.”
Both horses are expected to contest further races during the carnival, though Baker is happy to keep their targets flexible for the moment.
He indicated that the Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick and The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington, both scheduled for October 3, would be considered for the pair.
“We’ll have a think about it and weigh it up,” Baker mentioned.
“The ‘Metrop’ is definitely an option. A race like The Bart Cummings as well. Even the St Leger here on Everest day.”
So You Are’s victory marked Baker’s first Sydney Saturday metropolitan winner of the season, following a series of minor placings to kick off the term.
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