Melbourne apprentice Regan Bayliss has answered a call from Peter Robl to take a lightweight ride in a stakes race at Randwick.
Bayliss will ride the Robl-trained stayer Iggi Pop in the Listed Tattersall’s Club Cup (2400m) on Monday.
The apprentice, who outrode his claim at Flemington on December 17 with a winning treble, will also ride Fast ‘N’ Rolling in the #theraces Handicap (1800m) for Lindsay Park.
Bayliss spent some time in Sydney during the 2015 Melbourne spring carnival when apprenticed to Peter Moody.
“It was probably 13 months ago now that I was up in Sydney,” Bayliss said.
“It was still early on in my career but it was a very valuable experience to go up there for three months.
“I learnt a hell of a lot.”
Bayliss said he fielded a call from Robl on Thursday to take the ride on Iggi Pop.
While he hasn’t ridden Iggi Pop in a race, he’s had a successful association with Robl.
“When I was in Sydney I was riding quite a bit of work for Peter Robl,” Bayliss said.
“I did a couple of trips to the Gold Coast and rode a few winners for him.
“Peter called me up and asked if I wanted to come up.
“The horse has got 54 kilos and looks a good chance.
“Hopefully I can give him a good ride.”
Bayliss said the the opportunity to ride in a stakes race interstate was too good an opportunity to pass up.
He said if he didn’t take up the opportunity from Robl he would have instead been riding at Geelong on Monday.
“I lost my claim two weeks ago but I’m still getting great support from a number of trainers,” Bayliss said.
“I’d like to think I’m capitalising on all the opportunities that are coming my way.”
A last-start second to Destiny’s Kiss, an opponent on Monday, in the Christmas Cup at Randwick on December 17, Iggi Pop shares favouritism with Thewayweare at $3.20 ahead of Destiny’s Kiss at $4.60 in Monday’s race.
