Trainer Bjorn Baker is eyeing a Melbourne Cups campaign for consistent stayer So You Are, ruling him out of a start in the Metropolitan.
The $2.15 favourite showcased a determined performance in Saturday’s Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m at Rosehill. Carrying 5-1/2 kilos more than his rivals, he battled hard to hold off Amplify ($7) by a half-neck, with Bella Montagna ($3) finishing a length behind in third.
Baker indicated that So You Are would likely need a penalty for his Colin Stephen win to make the Caulfield Cup (2400m) field. If this doesn’t happen, the gelding is expected to remain in Sydney for the ATC St Leger (2600m) on October 17 before heading to Melbourne.
“Obviously, we want to get down to Melbourne for the Cups,” Baker said.
“The handicappers, I hope you’re watching. (There’s) heaps of improvement with him. You’d better give him half a kilo, or one (kilo), or something!
“The Caulfield Cup, he’ll be flat (out) getting in that. We might look at the St Leger, that could be a good race for him here and then get him down to Melbourne.
“A little bit depends on where he is in the order and the scheme of things as well.”
So You Are maintained solid form for country trainer Stirling Osland throughout the winter before his relocation to Baker’s stable, which was prompted by the difficulties of regular city travel.
Winning jockey Rachel King commented that the gelding relaxed well during the race and showed signs of further improvement.
“He was better today through the run. He is a funny horse, he’s giving more and more, he’s learning his race craft more and more,” King said.
The gelding currently carries 51kg for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 52kg for the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Consider the racing odds available at Australian betting sites for this promising stayer.