While So You Are is not the favourite for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, his triumph would undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser, largely due to the anticipated reaction of his trainer, Bjorn Baker.
Known for his enthusiastic celebrations following significant wins, the Warwick Farm horseman is one of Australia’s most beloved trainers. In contrast, the reaction from So You Are’s owner, Stuart Ramsay, would likely be one of profound emotion.
Prepare for tears if the son of So You Think secures the $10 million Group 1 prize. Ramsay was visibly moved when informed that So You Are had secured a place in the Melbourne Cup field, a result of a 1kg penalty earned for his victory in last Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup. Ramsay stated that he would be racing in tribute to his late father, John, on Tuesday.
“My father, he always had the Melbourne Cup winner on the next year’s calendar. He loved it,” Ramsay shared when asked about the significance of having a runner. “He’s been dead 40 years, so it’s taken me a while to work on it for him. Hopefully we can win it.”
Ramsay’s distinctive racing silks have graced the Flemington winner’s circle during Cup Week on previous occasions, with notable Group 1 winners including Sky Cuddle and Ancient Song. His success as a breeder extends to notable performers such as Australian Guineas victor Mr Murphy and the Hong Kong champion Able Friend.
It would be quite ironic if So You Are became his most significant achievement as an owner, especially considering he was not initially intended for racing. The horse was offered at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale but failed to meet the $100,000 reserve set by Ramsay.
“We didn’t get a bid for him and we only race the rejects,” Ramsay admitted. “But, this horse, there’s something about him. He gallops good, he gets his head down, the air goes straight into those big lungs of his and he can keep going.”
So You Are has demonstrated this remarkable ability in his last four outings, with his Bendigo Cup win following victories in the Group 3 Sydney St Leger (2600m), Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m), and the Listed Tatts Cup (2400m). His sole other start under Baker’s training saw him finish second in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick on August 22, marking his first appearance since transferring from Stirling Osland, who had trained So You Are for his initial 23 races.
During his tenure with Osland, So You Are finished second to current stablemate Thebudgiesmugla in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), a race that has featured in the form guides of the last two Melbourne Cup winners, Knight’s Choice and Half Yours. So You Are is the sole participant from this year’s Caloundra Cup competing in Tuesday’s prestigious race.
He drew barrier seven at Saturday night’s barrier draw, a selection that pleased both his trainer and jockey, Rachel King, according to Ramsay.
“He wanted four to seven, I wanted two, but two had already gone,” Ramsay explained. “There were only five and seven to go when he was draw out and I got one of them so all good. He might get beat, but I tell you what, he’ll be there for a long, long way and it’s just wonderful to have a starter.”
So You Are stands as one of four Australian-bred horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup, alongside Knight’s Choice, Strictly Business, and Zakouma. Historically, Viewed (2008), Shocking (2009), and Vow And Declare (2019) were the only Australian-bred winners of the race in the first 24 runnings this century, though Australian breeders are now aiming for a hat-trick of wins following the successes of Knight’s Choice and Half Yours.
For those looking to back a potential winner, the Melbourne Cup offers a fantastic opportunity to explore Australian betting sites, with many providing competitive racing odds.