Regan Bayliss will ride the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Fully Lit in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance at Randwick, saying the five-year-old is going better than ever.
Bayliss scored his richest race victory in 2023 when he steered Attractable to win the Big Dance. He reunites with Fully Lit after the gelding led the group 1 Epsom Handicap last start before finishing eighth. The horse has been returning from surgery to remove a knee bone chip and won the group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle to qualify for Tuesday’s race.
Fully Lit drew barrier 18, which will become 15 with emergencies out, but Bayliss said the horse had the speed to overcome it. "He's in terrific form," Bayliss said. "In the Epsom, the fence was racing a little bit off that day, which probably didn't suit him, but I think he's going better than ever. I would like to have drawn a little bit of a softer barrier on him, but he's got the tactical speed to overcome that and he'll be in it for a long way."
Bayliss also has strong claims in the $750,000 Little Dance on Ciaron Maher-trained I'mintowin, a $3.10 favourite from gate five. He said I'mintowin looked "very well-placed" to win.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Big Dance is one of Sydney's richest races, and another Bayliss win would cap a strong spring carnival for the jockey.
- Fully Lit's wide barrier and the presence of abundant early speed will test his tactical ability, making the race a compelling contest.
Background
Regan Bayliss is a six-time group 1 winner. He won the 2023 Big Dance on Attractable and the 2024 Inglis Millennium on Fully Lit. The gelding has been returning from surgery to remove a knee bone chip and produced a front-running win in the Cameron Handicap to earn his spot in the field.
Key Perspectives
Regan Bayliss (jockey): Says Fully Lit is "going better than ever" and has the tactical speed to overcome a wide barrier. He also believes I'mintowin is well placed for the Little Dance.
What to Watch
- Whether Fully Lit's wide gate forces a different ride than his usual front-running style.
- How the horse handles the step back from group 1 company after a month between runs.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBayliss is chasing a Big Dance payday aboard Fully Lit.WA Today - Latest News: “Regan Bayliss believes Fully Lit is going better than ever as the jockey chases another career-best cheque in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Tuesday.”
- SupportedThe summary says Bayliss believes Fully Lit is “going better than ever” despite a wide barrier draw.WA Today - Latest News: ““In the Epsom, the fence was racing a little bit off that day, which probably didn’t suit him, but I think he’s going better than ever. “I would like to have drawn a little bit of a softer barrier on him, but he’s got the tactical speed to overcome that and he’ll be in it for a long way.””
- SupportedBayliss will ride Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Fully Lit in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance at Randwick.WA Today - Latest News: “This year, Bayliss reunites with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Fully Lit”
- SupportedBayliss scored his richest race victory in 2023 by steering Attractable to win the Big Dance.WA Today - Latest News: “Bayliss, a six-time group 1 winner, scored his richest race victory when steering the Sara Ryan-trained Attractable to victory in the 2023 Big Dance”
- SupportedFully Lit led the group 1 Epsom Handicap last start before finishing eighth.WA Today - Latest News: “Fully Lit, which led the group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) last start before finishing three and three-quarter lengths eighth”
- SupportedFully Lit’s preparation has been a comeback from surgery to remove a knee bone chip.WA Today - Latest News: “Bayliss has been on the five-year-old at his other three starts this preparation, which has been a comeback from surgery to remove a knee bone chip.”
- SupportedFully Lit won the group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle to qualify for Tuesday’s race.WA Today - Latest News: “The runs have included a front-running win in the group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle to qualify for Tuesday’s race.”
- SupportedFully Lit drew barrier 18, which will come into 15 with emergencies out.WA Today - Latest News: “A draw in 18, which will come into 15 with emergencies out”
- SupportedBayliss said, “He's in terrific form.”WA Today - Latest News: ““He’s in terrific form,” said Bayliss”
- SupportedBayliss said the Epsom fence was racing a little off that day, probably did not suit Fully Lit, and that he thought the horse was going better than ever.WA Today - Latest News: ““In the Epsom, the fence was racing a little bit off that day, which probably didn’t suit him, but I think he’s going better than ever.”
- SupportedBayliss said he would have liked a softer barrier but thought Fully Lit had the tactical speed to overcome it and be in the race for a long way.WA Today - Latest News: ““I would like to have drawn a little bit of a softer barrier on him, but he’s got the tactical speed to overcome that and he’ll be in it for a long way.””
- SupportedBayliss has strong claims in the $750,000 Little Dance on Maher-trained I'mintowin, a $3.10 favourite from gate five, and said the horse looked “very well-placed” to win.WA Today - Latest News: “Bayliss also better claims in the $750,000 Little Dance with Ciaron Maher-trained I’mintowin, a $3.10 favourite from gate five.”