Racing: Group glory as Victorian turns up the heat

Spring Heat and Victorian jockey Jake Bayliss at Ellerslie yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunell

Jake Bayliss' impact on New Zealand racing went to another level at Ellerslie yesterday.

The Victorian jockey arrived last month to principally ride for Michael Moroney and Pam Gerrard and their fellow Matamata trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott and the winners have subsequently began to flow.

Bayliss was successful aboard the group one Sistema Railway (1200m) favourite Volpe Veloce in the Ray White NZ (1200m) yesterday and he then broke through at black type level aboard Spring Heat in the group three Hynds Holdings Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m).

"This means the world to me, it doesn't matter whether it's in Australia or New Zealand — it's a Group Three race," he said.

Trained by O'Sullivan and Scott, Spring Heat bridged the gap from a last-start maiden win at Hawke's Bay to trounce a smart field of three-year-olds.

The daughter of More Than Ready settled three back on the rail and once Bayliss angled her into the clear she quickly showed her opposition a clean pair of heels.

"I had to bide my time and she's still very green, but when I gave her one around her backside she really knuckled down," he said.

Spring Heat hit top gear 250m from home and bolted clear to beat Xbox, who did well after missing the start, and the pacemaker The Great Southern.

Warm favourite Prom Queen raced outside the leader and boxed on fairly for fourth.

"I'll talk to Lance and he'll map out a plan, but the Eight Carat is probably the logical race," a delighted Scott said.

"She got a bit lost turning for home and got to the middle of the track and really quickened.

"It's really encouraging for the rest of the summer and the autumn.

"Jake's got a wonderful work ethic and he deserves everything he gets."

- NZ Racing Desk