Regan Bayliss is confident that talented filly Harlow Gold is better than her 2017 Australian Guineas odds suggest ahead of the feature race at Flemington on Saturday.
Regan Bayliss will pilot Harlow Gold in Saturday’s Australian Guineas. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell
Bred for staying, Harlow Gold has produced a number of standout efforts for the Linsday Park team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig through a short career so far, and returned to the race for a smart third in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) a fortnight ago.
Bayliss told Racing Ahead that he believes the Tavistock filly will take even greater benefit from her run in the Australian Guineas, but is confident that she is up to the class of the talented field of three-year-olds.
“Her first-up run was terrific – all we wanted to do was get her to relax and let her stretch her legs in the like 400m,” Bayliss said.
“I think she exceeded expectations and acquitted herself really well. Going into this run tomorrow, I think she’s a good chance.
“She’s got a lot of ability. This is obviously short of her best distance and I think she’ll take massive benefit from this run again and once she gets over 2000m plus, she’ll come into her own.
“She’s drawn to get a nice run and as long as we get a bit of luck in running and get on the back of the right horse, I’m sure she’ll make her presence felt and look the winner at some stage.”
Harlow Gold will jump from the ideal barrier 7 in the Australian Guineas and Bayliss is hopeful that she will find a good position in transit within the race field.
“I can see her landing midfield, but it all just hinges on the tempo of the race,” he said.
“A good portion of the main chances are drawn inside me, so it looks like I’m going to be following the right horses in the race.”
Harlow Gold resumed last spring for sixth in a Sale minor over 1100m, but responded in the best way possible with consecutive wins in the John Duff & Co Maiden (1400m) and National Jockey Trust Plate (1600m).
Making a credible transition to black type company when fifth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m), Harlow Gold ran sixth in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) before finishing second behind Lasqueti Spirit in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m).
Harlow Gold is currently available at 2017 Australian Guineas odds of $14 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
