So You Are's Cups Ambitions Remain High Following Colin Stephen Triumph

Trainer Bjorn Baker is setting his sights on Melbourne for a potential Cups campaign for consistent stayer So You Are, who is unlikely to race again in the Metropolitan.

The $2.15 favourite showed great grit in Saturday's Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill. Despite conceding 5-1/2 kilos to his rivals, he dug deep to fend off the closing run of Amplify ($7) by a half-neck. Bella Montagna ($3) secured third place, a length further back.

Baker indicated that So You Are would likely need a weight penalty for his Colin Stephen victory to qualify for the Caulfield Cup (2400m). If he doesn't gain entry, the gelding is expected to stay 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."

Previously trained by Stirling Osland in the country, So You Are was a picture of reliability during the winter months. He was transferred to Baker due to the logistical difficulties of frequent city commutes.

Jockey Rachel King, who partnered the gelding to victory, observed that he relaxed well during the race and seemed to have untapped potential.

"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 currently carries 51kg for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 52kg for the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

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