Regan Bayliss shows Razor Sharp timing
The start wasn’t perfect, but the finish was pinpoint as Regan Bayliss and Recommendation ended Zac Lloyd’s unbeaten record on Insurrection in a driving finish to the Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick.
Lloyd hadn’t been headed on Insurrection in four rides and he almost made it five, lifting his charge as Recommendation challenged, but it was the latter who got the dive in on the line.
Bayliss credited the addition of blinkers in giving Recommendation a winning edge after the horse filled the minor placings at his two prior starts.
“A very well-deserved win,” Bayliss said.
“He’s been around the mark his last couple of runs and I think the addition of blinkers today, he’d drawn a plum barrier (one), always travelled well throughout and stuck his head out on the line.
“He didn’t jump as cleanly as I would have liked so I was a little bit on the back foot that first furlong-and-a-half, but then he was able to get into a nice rhythm and I knew that six furlongs is his pet trip, and he was going to be strong through the line.”
Recommendation gave trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace a black-type double on the program after they earlier took out the Listed Inglis Nursery (1000m) with promising colt Odinson.
Stable representative Johann Gerard-Dubord was thrilled to see Recommendation back on top, describing the four-year-old as “very genuine”.
“He has a very good record, his last couple of starts he has run well without winning,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“Last time at Kembla, the big track, he just found himself a bit lost. The blinkers went back on and the team has done a very good job with him.
“He’s a lovely horse and he’s got a great attitude.
“It’s a good group of owners, they’ve had a lot of fun with him and it’s good to get him back winning.”
Bayliss went to Randwick for three rides and along with taking out the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m), he finished a close second aboard Attractable in the $3 million The Ingham (1600m), the gelding only run down in the final bounds by Loch Eagle.
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...