Bailie's milestone lifts father's spirits

By Jordan Gerrans

Glen Baker’s ongoing cancer battle meant he couldn’t be at the Beaudesert races on Tuesday but there was no prouder father in the Sunshine State when his daughter Bailie punched home a winner on debut. 

Gold Coast-based apprentice Bailie Baker wrote her name into the history books as one of many riders who collected their maiden winner with their first-ever ride. 

Bailie did so in the final event on Beaudesert’s country TAB program in a Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1100 metres riding Pungo for her boss Adam Campton.

Pungo was well-supported in the market and drew the inside alley for the emerging rider in her first day at the races.

The 25-year-old hoop settled the gelding in the middle of the field for much of the trip before taking him to the outside where he scored over the top of the field.

The natural lightweight is a fourth-generation racing participant and hails from a famous racing family in Far North Queensland. 

Her father Glen has trained for much of his life but has stepped away in recent times to focus on his health as he battles cancer. 

Glen is based in Townsville for his chemotherapy and while he couldn’t be at Beaudesert on Tuesday to cheer on his daughter, he most certainly watched every second of it on television. 

“It was a cherry on top for me with everything I am going through,” Glen said.

While Glen couldn’t be there to celebrate Bailie’s milestone, there was some family representation as her sister was on hand. 

The proud father is planning a trip south in the coming weeks to toast the achievement with his daughter. 

Beaudesert broadcaster Mitch Manners made special mention of the debutant jockey's feat in the call of the last event on Tuesday.

“Well done Bailie Baker – at ride number one she is successful on Pungo,” Manners said.

“You couldn’t have scripted it any better.

“She has timed the run to absolute perfection.”

Bailie’s riding debut has been a long time coming with the young hoop approved to compete in races late last month but scratchings and horses she was set to ride being emergencies had held her back before Tuesday. 

Leading Gold Coast conditioner Campton was quick to praise his apprentice’s maturity as she has come into race riding a little later in life compared to many teenage youngsters. 

“As her boss, I am very proud of her, but she was well grounded before I got her and she deserves all the success that comes her way," Campton said.

“I am so proud of Bailie to punch home her first ride aboard Pungo but seeing her smile with her family is the reason why we do it.

“She has been through a lot and she deserves all the success that comes her way.”

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. 

He was a prominent trainer in FNQ and has prepared several SEQ winners as well in his time in the game.

Bailie rode plenty of work for her father in the early days, but he says going to a stable such as Campton’s has taken her skills to another level.

“When I was training, I couldn’t have done a better job than what Adam has done with her,” Glen said.

“He treats her as one of her own, so I am tickled pink.

“He looks after her well. I know she is in good hands.”

Glen says he is keen to get back into training if and when his health allows him to do so.

Boom apprentice hoop Jace McMurray also came through Campton’s yard before heading to Sydney to further his career.

Glen believes a stint working with the powerful Godolphin operation at their Agnes Banks facility was also key in Bailie’s development as she understood the workings of a big-time stable.

“She has always had a natural seat on a horse, even from when she was really young,” Glen said.

“She has taken her time and gone away and done something else with her life before coming back into racing.

“I tried to steer her away from racing as best I could but eventually she found her way back into it.

“She has gone about it the right way, she didn’t start out young and she has had good tutors like Robbie Fradd and Michael Cahill down on the Gold Coast.

“She has really taken on everything from the riding school and everything else that has been taught to her, she has down well balancing it all up.

“That has helped her polish her riding off.”

Bailie was set to have her second ever race ride at Gatton on Thursday before Sujeed for her master was scratched.