Young rider mounts case for old Warrior
HE’S the youngest jockey in the field riding Lindsay Park’s No.1 seed in the world’s richest race on turf.
But star 20-year-old Melbourne rider Regan Bayliss isn’t letting the hype get to him as he prepares to partner Redkirk Warrior in the $10 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
For less than 70 seconds work, a jockey could earn at least $250,000 by winning The Everest but Bayliss isn’t worrying about the potential for a massive payday, he is concentrating on the process and will let the result take care of itself.
“There has been a big build-up to The Everest, there has been a lot of talk about it in the jockeys room which I guess is understandable given the prizemoney on offer,’’ Bayliss said.
“But my preparation for the race won’t change. I will try to treat this like any other day and make sure I’m 100 per cent focused for The Everest.’’
Bayliss has only been riding for just four years, winning nearly 300 races including his breakthrough Group 1 success on Redkirk Warrior in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington earlier this year.
Hall of Famer David Hayes, who trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, has openly declared Redkirk Warrior is his stable’s No.1 Everest contender and it speaks volumes for his regard of Bayliss’s ability in the saddle that he has been entrusted with the ride on Saturday.
Bayliss partnered the seven-year-old in his final fast workout at Randwick yesterday morning and believes the sprinter is ready to run a very competitive race in The Everest.
“I thought Redkirk Warrior went super in his gallop,’’ Bayliss said.
“The most important thing was he got on to his right leg throughout, felt great and ran his last 400m in about 22.5 and did it quite comfortably.’’
GOLD Coast jockey Jeff Lloyd says he is “very excited” about being involved with the $10 million race and is sure his mount Houtzen will acquit herself well.
“I’m just hoping the rain stays away. She doesn’t want a very heavy track,” he said. “She was beaten five lengths in the Slipper on a bog track, where she was very distressed after the race.
“Since they’ve put a tongue tie on. It’s helped her breathing and I’m sure it will bring her closer to She Will Reign.
“Obviously a good barrier will help because in all of her big races so far, she’s drawn off the track.”
After weeks of dry weather in Sydney, rain is expected in the lead-up to the race.
Another person keeping a close eye on the forecast is a UBET punter who has a $5000 bet on Houtzen at $10.