The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Sir Bailey turned the tables on his Pakenham conqueror over 1300m at Sandown Hillside to credit Darley Stud’s Impending with his first winner.
With Jamie Kah in the saddle, Sir Bailey stalked the leader Water Bomber in the early stages. When Patrick Maloney eased the speed on the son of Headwater, Sir Bailey began to over race. Once balanced up Sir Bailey eased around Water Bomber in the straight and was strong to the line in defeating the Written Tycoon colt Merchant Prince by a length and a quarter with a further three-quarter of a length back to the tiring Water Bomber.
Sir Bailey is the first foal for the Ciaron Maher-trained champion Jameka.
The $4.8 million earning daughter of Myboycharlie (IRE) won the 2015 VRC Oaks, 2016 Caulfield Cup and the 2017 The BMW.
“That was supposed to happen at his first start,” Eustice said.
“He caught us a little by surprise at how laid back he was first start.
“We weren’t disappointed he ran well considering how he behaved in the run.
“He was more switched on, the blinkers helped and the racing helped as well.
“He travelled nice and strong. It is a trait of the family how he flicked his head a couple of times down the back, but they weren’t going quick.
“He will take an awful lot of benefit from that – learn to get on the right leg and stretch.
“A race like the (VRC) Sires’ would suit.
“It’s a great story – Colin and Janice’s (McKenna) colours – first foal of Jameka.
“Jameka won the Sires’ so it makes sense to go for that race and hopefully he can win some of the others that she won.”
A $130,000 Inglis Premier yearling, Jameka was sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the conclusion of a glittering race career.
Col McKenna paid $2.6 million to buy out his partners for the Gilgai Stud bred mare.
Jameka has a yearling colt and weanling filly by Dundeel. She was covered by Dubawi’s triple Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (IRE) last spring.
Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap and Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup winner Impending is also represented by the stakes-placed Moko from his first crop.
The son of Lonhro has 22 lots catalogued for the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
