Final Siren auditions for Ascot racing features
Feature sprint races in Perth early next year are on the table for Albany speedster, Final Siren if he comes through his return run in good order at Ascot.
The promising four-year-old, back in the care of trainer Rebecca Bayliss, kicks off his campaign in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.
“It depends on Saturday, but we’re just seeing how he goes,” Bayliss said on Tabradio.
“If he races really well we’ll probably decide from there, we’ve looked at the Summer Scorcher (1000m).
“We’ll try and win another one of these sort of races and then look for something else and go on from there.
“We’re just letting him tell us what he wants to do, he’s only four, so we have plenty of time for those big races.”
Final Siren has flashed potential for Bayliss from the get-go, winning on debut at home in Albany by a sizeable margin.
He carried that form to the city with smart wins at Ascot and Belmont.
The I’m All The Talk gelding is back with Bayliss after being domiciled in Bunbury during a winter stint with Michael Lane.
He never finished past second last campaign, ending a successful preparation with a runner-finish to Ginnivan.
From nine starts he has improved his record to five wins and two seconds for prizemoney of nearly $200,000.
Effective over 1000m and 1100m, Bayliss said the next step for Final Siren is to stretch out over more ground.
A strong alibi in his favour is champion jockey William Pike, who built up a good association with him when last in work.
“That’s what we’re hoping,” Bayliss said.
“Talking with Pikey, he sort of felt that was the way to go.
“He said he’s starting to settle better in his races and feels he will be stepping over those distances.
“It’s yet to be seen, but it’s something that we want from him.
“It’s something we’ll try this time in.”
Tabtouch punters think Final Siren will be the horse to beat on the weekend, their confidence influenced by a trial win in Albany.
Final Siren is the $3 favourite and with the claim of Brayden Gaerth, carries 58kg.
“He’s going very well,” Bayliss said.
The Summer Scorcher, a Listed race over 1000m, is staged at Ascot on January 1.
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