Bailey began riding track work at Wingatui this week with a view to becoming a jockey.
"I am hoping to be a jockey if I don't get too fat," the 31kg Bailey said.
He rode a thoroughbred in work as an 11yr-old and liked the experience.
"It's cool. I like how fast they go."
He was riding a pony when he was 18 months old and has achieved success in the show ring, most recently in Christchurch when champion in his class.
He has also been hunting. He has been schooled in riding by his mother, Debbie, and father, Terry, the Wingatui trainer. Both are former successful jockeys.
Bailey has been riding work this week for his great-uncle, Brian Anderton, who has some horses of a quiet temperament to suit the youngster.
Brian was riding work as a 12yr-old for his father, the late Hector Anderton.
Brian rode in his first race at 13, on Good Form at Beaumont in April, 1950.
He rode his first winner at the age of 14 - White Robe - at Wyndham, six months later.
The minimum age for riding in a race as an apprentice jockey is now 15 years and 3 months.
Bailey could ride as an amateur rider at the age of 15 and then commence an apprenticeship.
Meanwhile he will enter year 8 at St Marys School, Mosgiel, in February after the school holidays.
• Trainer Steve Anderton is hoping the track remains firm for the Otago meeting on Saturday to give Westend Lady her chance.
She has been marking time due to rain-affected tracks since she won at Winton on November 20.
The 6yr-old mare has been restricted to 13 starts since she began racing as a 4yr-old, winning three races including a maiden 1200m at Wingatui in February, 2008.
"She is just no good on wet tracks and that is why we have scratched her since she last raced," Anderton said.
Halo Baby, a maiden winner for the stable at Gore on Sunday, will not race on the holiday circuit.
The My Halo filly, raced by breeders Howard Clarke, of Oreti Plains, and Vicky Hammond, of Limehills, will be freshened for the Gore Guineas on January 23.
It is the first leg of the triple crown for Southland-Otago.
Lesley Brook, who is also aiming at the triple crown, has been entered for the Otago meeting.
Trainer Terry Kennedy was pleased with her last-start ninth in the One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton.
"She was only five lengths from the winner, Katie Lee, on a restricted preparation," Kennedy said.
Stablemate Miss Millbrook has also been entered at Wingatui in the hope she will warrant a trip to Hokitika for the Miss Scenicland Stakes on January 13.
Never Plead Guilty and So Far, members of the Paul Richards stable who placed at Awapuni last Saturday, are due home today.
Never Plead Guilty came again for second and So Far ran equal fourth after racing keenly.
"I will see how they get over the trip before deciding where they will race next," Richards said.
Real Chance and Flight Point schooled over board fences and drums at Wingatui yesterday.
Flight Point was freshened after an unplaced run in the Coupland's Mile on November 11.
He is in the Timaru Cup on Monday. Real Chance, a last-start winner at Invercargill, is engaged on Saturday.
• Ian Chambers has retired after 30 years as a racing commentator for gallops, harness and greyhound racing in the South Island, NZPA reports.
His retirement was announced by the New Zealand Racing Board.
Chambers began covering trials in Canterbury in 1971.
His first radio broadcast was in 1980 at a meeting in his home town of Methven.
He has covered races from Christchurch to to Blenheim and the West Coast He covered greyhounds at QEII Park in Christchurch before totalisator betting on that code.
Chambers said one of his biggest thrills was calling his own horse, Mezeray Kiwi, to win at a Westport Jockey Club meeting in February, 1991.
His major race call was the 1984 Miracle Mile at Addington, won by Norton.
Chambers will continue to work at the restaurant he and his wife, Lynda, have operated at Rangiora for 20 years.
"I have a horse racing on Boxing Day at Westport, so I guess this will be another Christmas away from home," he said. He has Darnie Cornetta, the first horse that he has bred to make it to the races.
Thomas Wood, who has come through a commentator cadet programme, will call the Westport races.
He has been mentored by former Canterbury commentator Reon Murtha.
• Results of the main trial at Otaki yesterday. -
Weather, fine; track, good.
Open, 1000m: Tavistock J Riddell 1; No Cash 2; Take Off 3.
Seven started. 1L, 3L.
Time, 59.01.
Trainer, A Campbell.
Results of the Roxburgh trials yesterday. -
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Two-year-old pacers, mobile, one mile: Poacher I Jamieson 1; Alldolledup 2; Raconteur 3.
Three started. 3L. Time, 2.05.3. Trainer, D Baynes.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2200m: Squeezemegently M Williamson 1; Body On The Line 2; Explode and McKenzie Jaccka equal 3, Six started.
Nk, nk. Time, 2.51.1 (five qualified). Trainer, B Gibson- Smith.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2200m: I'm Dynamite I Jamieson 1; Henry Ducket 2; Knapdale Guy 3.
Four started. Hd, L. Time, 2.54.4 (three qualified). Trainer, I Jamieson.
0w pacers, 2200m: Golden Tara N Williamson 1; C J Galleon 2; Livitup Jack 3.
Five started. 3L, hd. Time, 2. 52.9. Trainer, W Heads.
0-3w trotters, 2200m: Lucy Hest R Hanson 1; Nordic Sun 10 2; Lucky Pat 10 3.
Three started. L, 1L. Time, 3.02. Trainer, R Hanson.
0w pacers, mobile, 2200m: The Pioneer N Williamson 1; Beaudiene Quick Chic 2; Naenae Tabman 3.
Eight started. L, nk. Time, 2.51.6. Trainer, W Heads.
1-3w pacers, mobile, 2200m: Franco Amity N Williamson 1; Rocket Band 2; Woodlands Lifeline 3.
Five started. Hd, L. Time, 2.52.5. Trainer, W Heads.
1-2w pacers, 2200m: Life's Cool N Williamson 1; Laughing Man 2; Princess Courage 3.
Three started. L, L. Time, 2.54.3. Trainers, G and J Knight.
