Jake Bayliss celebrates group one success on On The Rocks. Photo / Trish Dunell
Matamata galloper On The Rocks provided rider Jake Bayliss with his second New Zealand group one prize when he stormed to victory in the group one Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) yesterday.
Australian-born Bayliss, who is enjoying his second extended riding stint in New Zealand, had picked up his first elite
level victory when successful on Volpe Veloce in the 2018 Sistema Railway (1200m).
Brought to New Zealand in 2017 to ride for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard, Bayliss repaid their faith with a superb effort to guide On The Rocks to victory at Te Rapa for the Matamata stable.
Bayliss had the Alamosa entire well-placed in midfield in the early stages of the contest before setting out after the pacemakers with 600m to run. On The Rocks tracked hot favourite Danzdanzdance into the race before angling into the clear to make his challenge at the 300m mark.
On The Rocks quickly ran to the front and hit the finish line over a length clear from outsiders Tiptronic and Elusive Treasure, with Danzdanzdance weakening on her run to finish a well-beaten fifth.
