By Craig Kerry
Sydney hoop Regan Bayliss is counting on Gold Bullion and The Novelist to ease the pain of a tough decision between the two Magic Millions meetings.
Bayliss was suspended for careless riding on Apocalyptic last Saturday at Randwick in the opening race, when the Michael Freedman-trained filly checked Memo late while finishing runner-up to Magic Millions Classic second-elect Gallo Nero.
Regan Bayliss aboard Apocalyptic, right, finishes second to Gallo Nero last Saturday at Randwick. Bayliss was suspended for the ride. Credit: Getty Images
Sick and struggling in the warm conditions, Bayliss was stood down from the rest of the program, then given a four-meeting suspension for the interference.
Bayliss wanted to ride at the Gold Coast this Saturday and then the carnival’s main meeting on January 11, but stewards said his ban had to cover one of the days.
Given the choice, Bayliss elected to pilot the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Gold Bullion and The Novelist on Saturday. Gold Bullion was a $5 Sportsbet chance in the $500,000 The Wave (1800m) and The Novelist was $13 for the $1 million The Syndicate (1100m). It meant missing January 11, when he was set to ride The Playwright ($15) in the $3 million 2YO Classic and Nettuno ($15) in the $1 million Snippets.
“It was a tough decision but with how it’s set up now up on the Gold Coast, it’s not just the one-day carnival, it’s a carnival with great prizemoney on offer over the two Saturdays,” Bayliss said.
Sydney jockey Regan Bayliss.Credit: Getty Images
“I actually had good rides both days, but I had to make a decision.”
Gold Bullion, on the second line of betting, took out the listed Members Mile at Eagle Farm on December 21. The Novelist’s last start was a second at Wyong, a third of a length behind Magic Millions Guineas favourite Bauhinia.
“I won on Gold Bullion last start and I think he’s going to be a great chance in The Wave,” Bayliss said.
“He won well the other day, and he’s been thriving since he’s been in Queensland. Up to the 1800, third-up, I’d say he’d be ready to peak.
“And The Novelist, the last time he went to Queensland, he won the Bruce McLachlan, albeit as a two-year-old. He’s been going well and only just got beat by Bauhinia at Wyong the other day. And I think that Gold Coast track will suit him.
“I’ve got two nice rides I think are going to be in the finish.”
Bayliss has recovered from his early finish at Randwick last Saturday, riding winners at Wyong and Canterbury this week. He survived a protest to win the group 3 Belle Of The Turf on Konasana at Wyong.
“It was a hot day and I rode pretty light, and I was just a little bit crook, but I’m feeling good now,” he said of last Saturday.
“I was at 54.5 kilos, not too bad. I ride 54-53, but it was just the fact I was that little bit crook that came into it.”
Team Hawkes in no rush with $1.4 million colt
Irrespective of whether $1.4 million colt Devil Night debuts, co-trainer Michael Hawkes is confident of success at Randwick on Saturday.
The Hawkes stable looks set to unleash the Extreme Choice colt, which topped the Magic Millions Yearling Sale when bought by international powerhouse Yulong a year ago.
Hawkes-trained Allapercanto, centre, running a close third at Randwick on December 14. She runs in the fifth on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
An impressive 900m trial winner at Rosehill, Devil Night has the outside gate in what was down to an 11-horse two-year-old field for the 1000m opener on Saturday. Hawkes said a decision on running would likely be made in the morning “when we see how the field shapes up”.
“Everything is so even, so you try to draw a decent barrier, and he’s drawn a bit wide,” Hawkes said.
“More than likely he’ll run tomorrow, but it’s still 50-50.
“He’s done everything right, he’s trialled well, he looks good. I can’t fault him, and he keeps improving, obviously being by that hot sire that everyone is chasing.
Leading trainer Michael Hawkes.Credit: Getty Images
“If he does run, he will be very, very competitive, but he’s going to be a better horse next time, and the time after that.”
Extreme Choice, one of only two sires to produce Melbourne Cup (Knight’s Choice) and Golden Slipper (Stay Inside) winners, has limited crops because of fertility issues and commands an equal top service fee in Australia of $275,000.
Devil Night is nominated for the $3 million Magic Millions Classic and $500,000 Debut on the Gold Coast next Saturday. A win will qualify him for the Classic, but a run will rule him out of the Debut.
However, a trip north is unlikely. Hawkes, who has Mgaic Millions Classic second favourite Gallo Nero, said Devil Night was more of an autumn prospect.
“It’s not ‘we’re definitely chasing Magic Millions with them’, it’s more about how they fall at the right time,” he said.
“If they do like Gallo Nero has, then you are in with a chance. But we treat them all individually. It’s all about the starting point for Devil Night.”
The Hawkes team have other strong chances at Randwick with Apex (race nine) and Allapercanto (race five). Apex, a $3.20 favourite, has a Hawkesbury maiden win and two close seconds at Canterbury this preparation. Allapercanto was $6 after two thirds in city company this time in.
“Apex should have won the other night,” he said.
“He went on him too early. If he had of sat and waited for another 50, 25 metres, he probably wins. But the form’s been franked with that filly [Dance To The Boom] winning the Gosford stakes race. Back to the 1100, a big track, he’s going to be hard to beat.
“Allapercanto has been knocking on the door as well. She’s well, we’re dropping back to 1400, blinkers have gone on, and she’s drawn a good barrier.”
