High quality colt Code Bailey could be set for a Brisbane winter carnival campaign.
And his recent form surge is only enhancing his claims for a trip north to the Sunshine State.
Another dominant display yesterday (Wednesday) at Shepparton in the DNR Logistics Pace proved the Christian Cullen three-year-old is continuing to improve.
He rated 1:58.5 for the 2180m event after working throughout and starting from a difficult second-line draw.
Code Bailey has now his past three starts.
“He’s in very good form and the Queensland carnival comes at the right time because he’s not eligible for the Vicbred series, we’ve only got the Breeders Crown at the end of the season left for him. I’m looking at the races available to him up there and it looks appealing.” Owner/trainer Ross Pike said.
The big striding colt has been close in many features this term with placings in heats of both the Victoria and New South Wales Derby classics.
He chased home New Zealand colt Spankem when second in his heat of the Victoria Derby while filling the same spot in Sydney behind the highly regarded Maraetai.
Code Bailey has also ventured to Bathurst for the Gr.2 $57,200 Gold Chalice and finished a brave third behind Lifeonthebeach and War Dan in the 2260m feature.
“It’s a good season to date but could’ve been better with some luck; he had gear failure in the Victoria Derby Final while he did all the work in the Bathurst feature.
“He’s a seasoned colt and he’s thriving currently, his past three victories have been very impressive and he’s taking no harm from the efforts. He was in a very playful mood today when heading to his paddock.
“The Queensland Derby will be a strong race, no doubt, Colt Thirty One is pretty special and I’ve seen a fair bit of him already this season but anything can happen in these big races.”
The Gr.3 $30,540 South East Derby is scheduled for July 14 while the Gr.2 $75,540 Queensland Derby takes place the following week.
Both events will be staged at Albion Park.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | May 17 | Photo by Ashlea Brennan