Racing: Baileys Dream no longer on ice as big showdown looms

By MICHAEL GUERIN

Baileys Dream's quest for juvenile supremacy is back on track.

The exceptional pacing talent was in danger of missing Friday's $100,000 Juvenile Championship at Alexandra Park after being a late scratching from his final lead-up race last week.

But the giant pacer has bounced back so quickly trainer Steven Reid now not only expects to start in Friday's race, he rates his stable star as the horse to beat.

Reid was disappointed when a blood complaint discovered late last Friday ruled Baileys Dream out of the Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes, paving the way for arch-rival Marika to score an effortless win.

"When I took him out of his box on Friday he had swelling under his neck so we took some blood tests and didn't like what we saw," said Reid.

"The blood tests indicated he had been flattened by a private workout we gave him about 10 days earlier and that he was struggling to recover.

"We had no choice but to scratch him last week but at least we got an exemption from the scratching penalty to enable us to start this week."

Reid still would not have risked Baileys Dream on Friday unless he felt the Sales Series Pace winner was back to something like his best and got that feeling during a solo workout on Monday morning.

"I think one of the problems with him is that when I worked him in company he is so competitive he can take a fair bit out of himself," said Reid.

"So on Monday I worked him by himself and he did exactly what I wanted."

Reid then ordered another blood test that confirmed Baileys Dream was back to peak health so he will definitely take his place in Friday's group one feature.

"I wouldn't have started him unless he was dead right because he is too good to risk but now he is back to his best and we have drawn barrier two I can't wait for the race."

Baileys Dream, Marika and Badlands Bute look the only realistic winning hopes in the 2200m race with the two favourites almost certainly competing for the Juvenile of the Year honour as well.

That title looked sure to go to Advance Attack just six weeks ago but since Baileys Dream and Marika have won the Sales Series Pace and Sires' Stakes Finals respectively, the winner on Friday should add the age group title. Baileys Dream's season is unlikely to finish on Friday night though as he is being aimed at the rich Breeders Crown in Victoria in August.

Reid looks set to be a major player at that carnival as last Friday's impressive winner Fake Denario is also Australia-bound.

He is likely to head to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby on July 3 before travelling down to Victoria for the three-year-old series of the crown.

But he won't be chasing any expense money for that trip this Friday night, even though he was eligible for a $20,000 race.

"I know it sounds funny but I don't think he was right when he won last Friday," said Reid.

"He has some hard runs early this campaign and I think they knocked him a bit.

"In the past he has started to hang when he is not quite right and he did that again last Friday so we will let him miss this Friday's meeting to get him back on track for Australia."

The Breeders Crown carnival is certain to have a strong New Zealand representation, with the Geoff Small-trained three-year-olds Winforu and Copper Beach also expected to head to the Bendigo-based carnival.

And last Friday's Caduceus Club Classic winner Molly Darling is a certain starter in the series.

"The money is too good to not have a go so as long as everything works out in the mean time she will be there," said trainer Brent Mangos.

"She came through her win last Friday perfectly and is having a small spell now before we get ready for a heat of the Breeders Crown next month [July 16] and then she will head to Victoria early in August."

Molly Darling will be Mangos's first stable representative in Australia and as the the Australian juvenile fillies look only an average bunch she would be the very early favourite for the series.

* Champion Australian trotting mare La Coocaracha takes the next step in an incredible comeback when she returns to serious work this week.

La Coocaracha broke down badly when winning the 2002 Rowe Cup and was retired to stud.

After a miracle recovery she started jogging again two months ago and he now fit enough to join the stable of former trainer Andy Gath.

"She looks great and could even be back racing in late August, although nothing is definite," said Gath.