Chalk Stream destroys rivals in Australia Day Cup
Chris Waller and Regan Bayliss have combined to take out the Listed 2023 Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm with Chalk Stream, breaking his duck in Australia at his eighth career start for Waller and his team.
After jumping and settling in the back half of the field, Bayliss made the move at the 800m mark to get going and go around the field, as the leading bunch started to slow this gelding was only starting to get into his work.
As the field straightened, Bayliss pushed the button on this son of Sea The Stars, where he booted clear with 150m to go and put a gap on his rivals to run away with an easy victory in the Listed feature race of the day.
2023 Australia Day Cup Replay – Chalk Stream
Chris Waller’s lead stable foreman, Charlie Duckworth, spoke post-race about the big win for a special horse.
“It’s a real thrill, obviously Chris (Waller) has had plenty of highlights in his career but I think this would be up there,” Duckworth said.
“They’ve been so patient all the way through, working it out how we do it down under and obviously this is the icing on the cake.
“He’s a horse you can’t ride pretty and you have to take off on him at the 800 (metres), like Regan (Bayliss) did, and use his real stamina and turn it into a real staying test, like he did today and he was dominant.
“Great ride by Regan. We told him to keep him in a rhythm all the way through and that’s exactly what he did.
“It’s a very special day and a day that I’m sure we will all remember.”
Regan Bayliss spoke post-race about the big win on Chalk Stream.
“He was well behaved too, I gave him a good canter and he was lovely and relaxed,” Bayliss said.
“Today he was on his very best behaviour, and he won well.
“When he hit the front at the top of the straight it was gonna take a real tough one to run him down.”
Chalk Stream is a $26 chance in the 2023 Sydney Cup futures market with online bookmakers.