Brothers Jake and Regan Bayliss give the group 1 Railway at Ellerslie on Monday a distinctly Aussie flavour.
The Victorian-born and bred jockeys will ride leading chances Heroic Valour and Volpe Veloce in the New Year’s Day feature.
Jake, who is in New Zealand on a summer riding stint, will again partner the Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained Volpe Veloce.
The 23-year-old made his first ride on the mare a winning one at Ellerslie shortly after landing in New Zealand.
Volpe Veloce held Heroic Valour to a head in the 1200m event.
Twenty-year-old Regan Bayliss will link with the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Heroic Valour in what will be his first day of race riding in New Zealand at Ellerslie on Monday.
Like his main rival, the horse has not started since his runner-up effort on December 10. Monday’s Railway will mark the first time the Bayliss brothers have been rivals in a group 1 race.
Regan gained an edge over Jake after the race’s barrier draw. Volpe Veloce has drawn wide in barrier 13, while Heroic Valour is three spots closer in in barrier 9. The Bayliss brothers will clash with champion New Zealand jockey Chris Johnson at Ellerslie on Monday.
Johnson has forgone a quality book of rides at Waikouaiti to ride in the big line-up of group and feature races further north.
