In-form jockey Regan Bayliss is hoping his winning run continues when he partners Main Stage in the Group 1 $1m Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington today.
Regan Bayliss rides Main Stage, above, in the 2018 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Bayliss has ridden eleven winners from his last fifty rides and includes a win on Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 17.
Bayliss was aboard Main Stage when he ran fourth behind Grunt first up in the Group 3 $150,000 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 17 and the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained three year old will get a good run from barrier four in the sixteen horse Australian Guineas field.
“I wouldn’t want to swap (Main Stage) for any other horse in the Australian Guineas,”Bayliss told racing.com.
“Obviously his first-up run was very eye-catching, he ran some of the fastest splits.
“From the good barrier I’ll still ride him in his comfort zone, but it means I don’t have to go get too far back, I’ll be riding him where he lands and get him in a good rhythm, it’s a great gate for him.
“There does look to be a bit of pressure in the race, the two horses drawn wide in Cliff’s Edge and I’d say Grunt will roll across and Addictive Nature is a horse who races on speed.
“Main Stage should get a lovely run midfield and we’ll just need a little bit of luck from the 800m to the 400m and he’ll be steaming home late.
“I’m very confident he’ll be there in the finish.”
Main Stage was very competitive against the three year olds during the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival and wound up his campaign with a fifth to Ace High in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Main Stage has had plenty of support in the betting for the Australian Guineas and has firmed in at Ladbrokes.com.au from $17 to be marked at $11 on race morning.
The Darren Weir trained Cliff’s Edge sits at the top of the market order at $4.80 just ahead of the first of Mick Price’s three runners, Grunt, at $5.50.
Busuttin and Young will also saddle up the $51 outsider Salsamor in the Australian Guineas.
