Bailie has long been baking a riding career

By Jordan Gerrans

The Baker surname is synonymous with racing at Gordonvale in Far North Queensland and the clan is about to add another generation to their lineage in the sport. 

Apprentice hoop Bailie Baker is on the verge of having her maiden race ride, booked for one engagement at Gatton on Saturday afternoon. 

Bailie lived in FNQ until her late teenage years before relocating to Beaudesert with her father Glen as he shifted his training base after previously training at Atherton. 

Glen is taking a break from training with illness at the moment while his brother Wade previously prepared his own team. Their father John was also a long-time industry participant.

Glen’s cousin Ralph has also been a consistent trainer throughout North Queensland for decades. 

While Bailie took a break from riding in her early 20s to pursue other work avenues, she was always likely to come back to racing after being around the horses for much of her life. 

“I have always been at the track with dad, but I have wanted to take my time with it,” Bailie said.

“I have matured and grown up a bit.

“I was able to experience other things and work in the tourism industry because I knew the horses would always be there for me.”

Bailie is indentured to leading Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton after cutting her teeth riding for her father before also having a stint with Ben Ahrens. 

It is for her master Campton that Bailie is booked to have her first race ride this Saturday.

Campton’s Hidden Melody is first emergency to get a start in Saturday’s Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1100 metres. 

Regardless of if Hidden Melody gains a start or not, the natural lightweight will be at the races for the first time as a professional rider in the very near future. 

She is hoping the in-form daughter of Your Song is her debut engagement as she trialled the four-year-old to start her preparation in late April. 

“She is so sweet,” she said of Hidden Melody. 

“She is awesome and tries really hard, even in her gallops. I have trialled and jumped her out before and even in those, she gives 100% every time.

“She is a great horse. She will be perfect for me; she just jumps and runs.

“She is so sweet, nothing worries her at all.”

Hidden Melody won at her last start with Madeleine Wishart doing the riding at Grafton earlier this month.

The Campton barn is one of the most promising stables in the Sunshine State and rookie rider Bailie says it is the perfect place for her to learn her trade. 

“I have found it all pretty smooth, I have been very lucky,” she said.

“I have got great support and my connections with racing through my dad.

“I have had great support here on the Gold Coast, not just racing but mentally supportive and there are so many opportunities around here.

“My partner Danny Peisley has helped me so much, as well, preparing me for now as a jockey. 

“Adam and his partner Tayla, they have been amazing support to get me here, as well.”

Bailie’s father Glen last took a galloper to the races in August of 2023. 

After growing up in FNQ, Bailie relocated south to Beaudesert when her father started training in South East Queensland. 

The 25-year-old spent time living and working at Lizard and Hamilton Islands before returning to the racing industry to pursue race riding in 2023. 

“I always had horses around me, I grew up rodeoing and doing polocrosse and that,” she said.

“I did that all the way back to seven years old.”

Bailie looks up to former Campton apprentice hoop Jace McMurray who is making waves in Sydney after shifting south. 

She says it is McMurray’s patience that stands out in the way he rides.