Sydney iron horse Cantonese may be set for the Auckland Cup.

The gelding's arduous campaign continues in the Christmas Cup at Rosehill on Saturday.

If he goes well, his trainer Bjorn Baker will consider setting him for the two-mile Group One race in New Zealand in March.

"The Sydney autumn is probably going to be too tough for him and it's easy logistically for me if I wanted to go there," Baker said.

Cantonese was bought by Baker for stable clients a few months ago and has been a revelation for the trainer's fledgling Sydney team, winning five races including three in town.

The plan was to win a provincial race or two and possibly progress to midweek city company.

"So it's worked out extraordinarily well and we've had a lot of fun with him," Baker said.

"It's like a dream."

Cantonese, however, has a challenger in Havana Rey for the bragging rights as Baker's stable star.

Havana Rey resumes in the Parramatta Leagues Club Handicap at Rosehill after winning four city races last season as Baker established his Sydney operation.

"Now they are vying for it," Baker said.

"It depends on the results on Saturday who's going to be tops."

Havana Rey has returned bigger and stronger but Baker says he'll have to be as he progresses from age-group racing last season to taking on older horses.

"It's going to be interesting. I think he's a good horse and I definitely want to see him do something tomorrow," he said.