BAILEY WHEELER ON A ROLL AS HE TAKES OUT BOTH OF THE GOLD COAST JOCKEY PREMIERSHIPS

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Bailey Wheeler has an air of confidence about him.

It seems to have been with him since he arrived to begin his riding career afresh with a move to Queensland back in March and it is fair to say that it has been a formidable factor in his make-up and one which has helped carry him to the superb set of results he has achieved in the last five months … and those results have, in turn, further raised the notch on his confidence level.

A win/win situation all around.

The icing in the cake came on the final day of the season at the Gold Coast on Saturday where Bailey dethroned the incumbent Noel Callow in a two-way fight for the Gold Coast Jockey’s Premiership which Wheeler managed to clinch in the third last race of the season.
Wheeler already had the Gold Coast Apprentice Jockey's Premiership in the bag.

“I won the second race and pulled two clear, but then he (Callow) pulled one back on me in the fourth race … so I was back to one in front … and he had a couple of nice rides coming, but then I won again and so he couldn’t end up beating me and I actually ended up winning the last three race to make it four on the day and win the premiership by a clearcut margin.

“It was obviously good to win it after the last month was sort of head-to-head. I got in front and then he came back and got in front and that’s how it went on until it went down to the wire on the last day where I had a strong book of rides and got home.

“Noel and I get on quite well. He is a great bloke and we just said on the last day … may the best man win.

“It was a massive day, and it was massive achievement for me. I think it is something I will be able to look back on in time and say I did that … especially beating Noel Callow as well. He is a great rider in his own right.

“It was also particularly good because my old man and pop came from Coffs Harbour to be there … to come and watch. It made the day worthwhile for them and them being there made it extra special for me."
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Wheeler kept that run going on Sunday when he made the trip to the Sunshine Coast for just one ride on the Liam Birchley trained Sheza Firecracker in the last race which brought him his fourth successive winning ride after scoring in the last three races at the Gold Coast the previous day.

“It was a good ride and Mr Birchley has been very supportive of me. I’ve had four or five rides for him for about four winners, so I’ve got a very good strike-rate building up with him and I wanted to keep that going,” said Wheeler.

“I obviously want to thank all of the trainers who have supported me.

“Chris Anderson is a great boss. For example, one of my winners at the Gold Coast on Saturday … Ma’s Epic …was for him. She was going to go around at Doomben on Wednesday and I asked him if he could send her to Saturday instead to help me win the premiership.

‘Mr Kendrick was another trainer who sent one to the Gold Coast for me to win on. He has been a great supporter of mine … and, like I say. so have several other trainers.

“It was only because of all that support that I came out on top.

“Everything is just going my way at the moment … but we know things come in waves. For now though, everything has just worked out … a winner in town on Wednesday, three on Saturday and one from my only ride on Sunday.
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The fact that Wheeler managed to turn around his life to get to where he is makes his story even more impressive.

“I went through a bad patch and did take some time away from racing,” explained Wheeler.

“That was in New South Wales … just due to me being childish and immature I would say. I went to live with my dad and work out what I really wanted to do.

“I did want to carry on riding, but I needed a fresh start … just to start fresh … hence my move to Queensland.

“I actually phoned Chris Anderson and he gave me my opportunity. As I said he is a great supporter. He allows me to ride outside work and he’ll give me a couple of days off when I need them.

‘It’s a pretty tough game … so it is good to have such a great boss who is supportive inside and outside of work.”
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Ambitions for the new season?

“I’d love to win the Brisbane Metro Apprentice Premiership,” answered Wheeler.

“We’ll just take that day by day … as I have been doing all the way along … and just hope that the winners keep flowing … but yeah, that will be my next target.

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