Regan Bayliss made it a Group 1 winning double at Randwick on Saturday, riding the Joseph Pride-trained Private Eye to a memorable upset in the time-honored Epsom Handicap.
A wide-open field of 17 lined up in the $1 million feature, but it was $11.00 chance Private Eye who walked away with the top prize money thanks to a well-timed run from Bayliss.
The now five-time Group 1 winner rode Never Been Kissed to a boil-over win one race earlier in the Flight Stakes, and again claimed the spoils with a late swooping effort out wide to win the Epsom right on the line.
Bayliss said after the race that the hot speed set up his chance perfectly to get back and run on.
“There was good speed and we were just able to get on the back of the right horses and bring him down the outside. We know he’s got that great turn of foot and he showed us today,” Bayliss said.
Private Eye came into the race set to peak for three runs back, which included a narrow win over the likes of Saturday’s rivals Rock and Icebath in the Group 3 Show County Quality.
Even so, the market didn’t favour the son of Al Maher in what was his first look at the elite level.
Aramayo, meanwhile, battled on gamely to grab a place, while Dalasan found the line well for third in front of a fast-finishing Cascadian.
There was no such luck for Mo’unga though, who loomed in the late stages but ultimately faded after racing three-wide without cover.
As for race-favorite Riodini, beaten jockey Rachel King summed it up in just a few words.
“Just raced like a tired horse. Think he needs a break.”
The post 2021 Epsom Handicap Results: Private Eye Wins, Bayliss Claims Double appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
