Pilote D’Essai doesn’t have to lead in Pakenham Cup

Last start all the way Ballarat Cup winner Pilote D’Essai doesn’t have to lead to win the Listed $200,000 Superior Food Services Pakenham Cup (2500m) at Pakenham on Saturday according his promising apprentice Regan Bayliss.

Regan Bayliss, above, rides French import Pilote D'Essai in the Pakenham Cup at Pakenham. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Regan Bayliss, above, rides French import Pilote D’Essai in the Pakenham Cup at Pakenham. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Bayliss controlled the race from the front when the Lindsay Park trained Pilote D’Essai had two lengths to spare over runner up Scherzoso in the Listed $300,000 Ballarat Cup (2200m) at Ballarat on November 19.

But Bayliss is adamant that Pilote D’Essai from barrier three in the fourteen horse field doesn’t have to dictate the race from the front and can win if he has to take a sit behind the speed.

“Even though Scherzoso was making ground on him last start I think he was still strong to0 the line,” Bayliss told racing.com.

“All reports come back that he has come through that run really well and all guns blazing for Saturday.”

“I don’t think he is one dimensional. Just because I led last start I don’t think that has to be case again.”

“Obviously we want him in a good rhythm, and we want him flowing. He has drawn barrier three so whether he is third or fourth or ends up in front again, as long as he is in a happy rhythm, it will be all good.”

“I had a good little Spring Carnival, got a couple of winners and to get one at the end of the Carnival was really good and good to do it for my great supporters in Lindsay Park.”

The Ballarat Cup was Pilote D’Essai’s second win for the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig since the French import arrived in Australia at the end of last year.

Pilote D’Essai scored on debut on Australian soil with a win in a 1400m BenchMark 90 Handicap at Bendigo in March before being sent back to the paddock for a spell.

The five year old had mixed form throughout the Spring with three placings and a fifth before running ninth, two starts back, in an 1800m BenchMark 90 Handicap at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.

In early betting for the Pakenham Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au Pilot D’Essai is a solid $3.80 favourite ahead of Craig Williams’ mount Swacadelic at $4.80 and the Robert Hickmott trained Little White Cloud at $5.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.