Trish Dunell Photography
Young Australian jockey Jake Bayliss, who rode his first Group One winner on Monday when guiding Volpe Veloce to victory in Ellerslie's Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes (1200m), could be tempted to make New Zealand his home for the forseeable future.
The 23-year-old is keen to bolster his CV with a view to eventually securing a contract in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most competitve and lucrative racing jurisdictions.
‘’I was looking forward to staying here until about March or April but things are going very well,” Bayliss told RSN 927.
“I’ve spoken to Mike Moroney and Lance O’Sullivan and I think we might make a goal next season and come over and try and win the premiership,’’ Bayliss said.
‘’I’d love to go to Hong Kong on a contract but obviously you’ve got to win a premiership here to do so.’’
Bayliss has ridden 14 winners in New Zealand so far and is banking on Volpe Veloce giving him another when she tackles the Gr.1 J & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham over 1200 metres on January 20.
If successful there, Australia’s leading sprint race – the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington - will be on the cards for the winner of 10 of her first 13 starts.
‘’I’ve ridden her in a lot of her work and I’ve done quite a few gallops on her and now won on her twice and she’s got as good a turn of foot as any horse in Australia,’’ Bayliss said.
‘’I think she can go over there and be very competitive. I think she’s well and truly up to it.’’