The consistent stayer So You Are is not expected to compete in the Metropolitan Handicap next start, as trainer Bjorn Baker prefers to concentrate on a potential Melbourne Cups campaign.

As the $2.15 favourite, the gelding put forth a courageous effort in Saturday’s Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill. He carried 5-1/2 kilos more than his competitors and fought tenaciously to hold off Amplify ($7) by a half-neck, with Bella Montagna ($3) finishing a further length behind in third.

Baker noted that the gelding would likely require a penalty from his Colin Stephen win to secure a place in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) field. Should this not happen, the horse is slated to remain in Sydney for the ATC St Leger (2600m) on October 17 before travelling 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 demonstrated remarkable consistency for country trainer Stirling Osland throughout the winter before his transfer to Baker, necessitated by the difficulties of consistent city travel.

Winning jockey Rachel King commented that the gelding settled well during the race and appeared to have reserves.

“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 assigned 51kg for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) next month and 52kg for the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Punters can find competitive racing odds at Australian betting sites.