JAKE AND REGAN BAYLISS SET TO TICK ANOTHER BOX IN THE BAYLISS FAMILY RACING HISTORY BOOK

By Graham Potter | Friday, May 31, 2024

The Bayliss brothers ... Jake and Regan ... will tick another box in the family racing history book at Eagle Farm on Saturday when they will lineup against each other for the first time in a Group 1 contest.

The race is the $1 million Queensland Derby.

“Yeah, it is the first time we are both riding together in a Group 1,” confirmed Jake Bayliss, speaking at the Sunshine Coast meeting on Friday.

“We were meant to ride in a Group 1 together in a race in New Zealand ... the Railway Stakes. I was on the favourite, Volpe Volace ... who gave me my first Group 1 winner ... and Regan was on the second or third favourite which ended up being scratched just before the race because of the track downgrade.

“Overall, I think sometimes things are just meant to happen. I think it was just meant to be that Regan was there on the day to support me when I got my first Group 1. It was a very special day for me.

“It would have been nice to fight out the finish with him, but just to have Regan there with me on the day was great.

“We are really looking forward to the Derby on Saturday,” continued Bayliss. “We were both waiting for the barrier draws to come out. When they did, I was very happy ... and he wasn’t.

“He drew 21 (on Sonofdec) and I’ve drawn 7 on Warialda Warrior.... which should come to five, I think, if the emergencies don’t get a run.

“My horse is trained by John Ramsay who is from Scone. I have only had a handful of rides for him, but I have had a bot of luck with him.

‘I think I was the first one he called when he had this horse coming to Brisbane for his carnival campaign, so it is nice to associate with him again.

“My horse’s run in the Rough Habit was really, really good. He (Warialda Warrior) went back from a wide draw ... and his last furlong was faster than any horse in the race. He was pulling ground off them.

“On that run, I think he is the dark horse in the Derby. The extra distance will suit him well.

“It would be great if one of us could get the result. How good would it be if we fought out the finish!”

That would indeed be a sight to see, but not all punters will be calling them home if that happens. The bigger cheer would likely from the bookmakers, with Sonofdec quoted at $21 in the betting while Warialda Warrior rates a real boilover option at $61.

But the biggest cheer of all?

No surprises there.

It would come from the massive Bayliss family celebration!

More articles