Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker is attempting to exorcise his father’s Melbourne Cup demons with a contender he concedes is far from the most gifted in the field.
Sydney-based Baker, who half-jokingly suggests he is representing Australasia in this country’s greatest race, will saddle Bendigo Cup winner So You Are at Flemington on Tuesday.
It comes more than two decades after his father Murray Baker went close to winning the Cup when The Phantom ran second to Kingston Rule in 1990.
An American-bred son of Secretariat, Kingston Rule still holds the 3200m handicap’s race record time of three minutes, 16.30 seconds.
“Murray couldn’t quite do it … he’s got the second-fastest time ever in the race but he didn’t win it,” Baker said.
“It is the one that got away. He will dream that we can do it.
“We’re pretty tight. We talk most days and he’ll be giving me a bit of advice surely.”
Whether that advice gets through to the affable and self-deprecating younger Baker is another thing.
“I’ve got two ears and one mouth and I don’t know why,” he said.
“Murray gives me a lot of advice and when I moved to Australia 15 years ago he said the greatest thing for our relationship is the Tasman Sea.
“(Winning the Cup) would be pretty special for him.”
So You Are will be ridden by Rachel King, who steered the five-year-old son of So You Think to a last-start victory in Bendigo only last Wednesday.
That triumph was ultimately enough to secure a start at Flemington in the $10.2 million staying test.
“My friends call me ‘Back-Up Baker’ for a reason,” Baker said of So You Are’s quick follow up from Bendigo.
“He’s not the most gifted horse we’ve ever had. He’s not even close to it.
“He’s not the quickest horse, but he’s tough, he’s fit, he’s well and he’s got a great gate (barrier seven).
“He’s going to be in the right part of the track and if fitness counts, he’s the fittest horse in the world currently.”
Full of gags at Monday’s pre-race press conference, Baker joked that star jockey James McDonald’s manager never picks up his calls.
But he is thrilled to have King on board So You Are, who drew well in barrier seven.
“The bigger the race, the better she rides, and she is cool as a cucumber under pressure,” Baker said.
“When I go into a big race and you go to war, I’m very lucky to have Rachel on my side.
“It’s an amazing day and it is really the race that stops two nations. It’s so special for me and my family.
“I’m so lucky to be here and win, lose or draw I’m going to have a great day.”
Baker is adamant an underdog can win the Cup and said there is no telling what sort of celebration might unfold if So You Are is successful.
“I’m just a very humble Kiwi that came here. I’m low-key, but occasionally I do get caught up in the moment,” Baker said.
“If I could celebrate the Melbourne Cup I just don’t know what would happen. I’ve got a pretty good engine, thankfully.”
