Redkirk Warrior has returned to racing for a dominant win in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the famous Flemington straight this afternoon.
Redkirk Warrior posted an incredible first-up win in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) first-up in autumn and appeared on track to repeat that performance this afternoon after jumping well and taking a position close to the early pace.
Jockey Regan Bayliss allowed the horse to work through his gears throughout the entire race and he was rewarded in the final 300m when Redkirk Warrior mustered an impressive turn of foot to open a gap of more than four lengths on classy Perth raider Scales Of Justice; Land Of Plenty boxing on for third.
Bayliss delivered a smart ride aboard the talented gelding, but laid all the praise on the horse after the race.
“What an absolute gentleman he is to ride,” Bayliss said after the race.
“He didn’t jump as quickly as he did in the Newmarket, but he did relax a lot better underneath me today.
“I know he’s a little bit older, but I think he’s just maturing a little. He was really relaxed today and got into a lovely rhythm. It was all about letting him down at the right time and he did the rest.”
Trainer David Hayes was understandably pleased with the horse’s performance and believes that he will prove extremely difficult to beat in The Everest (1200m) in Sydney on October 14th.
“The stable felt that he was going better than he was before the Newmarket and I think that was an improved version on the Newmarket, when you factor in the weight he carried,” Hayes said.
“I’ve been seeing his raw ability now for twelve months and if he gets the right conditions in Sydney, it would take a very good one to beat him.
“His first race was a win over 2000m, so it just goes to show that he’s pretty versatile. Once we’ve got this sprinting out of the way over the next six weeks, we’ll turn him into a middle-distance horse and we might see a very special horse.”
Redkirk Warrior is currently available at early The Everest odds of $6 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
