Consistent stayer So You Are is unlikely to contest the Metropolitan next start, with trainer Bjorn Baker preferring to redirect his focus towards a potential Cups campaign in Melbourne.
The $2.15 favourite delivered a valiant performance in Saturday’s Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill. He shouldered a 5-1/2 kilo impost compared to his rivals and battled hard to deny Amplify ($7) by a half-neck, with Bella Montagna ($3) a further length behind in third.
Baker acknowledged that the gelding would likely need a penalty for his Colin Stephen win to gain entry into the Caulfield Cup (2400m) field. If this does not materialise, the horse is slated to remain in Sydney for the ATC St Leger (2600m) on October 17 before making his way south.
“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 a high level of consistency for country trainer Stirling Osland during the winter before being transferred to Baker, primarily due to the logistical challenges of frequent travel to the city.
Winning jockey Rachel King reported that the gelding settled nicely in the run and seemed to possess more to offer.
“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.
So You Are is currently weighted at 51kg for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 52kg for the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Betting markets for the race are expected to be competitive at Australian betting sites.