Bayliss says time’s right for Shangri La Spring to cap special week

2 months ago 15

By Craig Kerry

December 24, 2025 — 5.31pm

Regan Bayliss believes there is a “real sense of timing” about Shangri La Spring in the Summer Cup as the jockey looks to cap a special first week as a father with victory in the group 3 at Randwick on Boxing Day.

Bayliss and his wife Sheridan Paine welcomed son Hudson James into the world last Sunday night and were taking him home on Christmas Eve.

Regan Bayliss punches Shangri La Express to the line to win the Golden Gift.

“It’s very exciting, and it’s good to have him home for Christmas,” Bayliss said on Wednesday.

Bayliss is staying extra busy over the holiday period with rides at Randwick on Friday and Saturday. The $250,000 Summer Cup (2000m) is the feature event over the two days and he has picked up a first chance on Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shangri La Spring, which was a $3.90 TAB favourite from gate two.

He was second to stablemate Major Beel in the listed ATC Cup (2000m) last start and they meet again. Major Beel was a $6.50 shot from gate 10 with Rachel King to ride.

“He’s a great pick-up,” Bayliss said of Shangri La Spring.

“I’ve had a lot to do with him in track work and I trialled him the other day.

“I think there’s a real sense of timing about the horse. I thought he ran really well the other day and he’s a had a tick-over trial since, and he trialled terrific.

“He was a month between runs last time, and coming out of the Golden Eagle [1500m] straight up to 2000, so I reckon he will be much better having that 2000m run.

“He’s won at the track and trip before in the Frank Packer Plate, and he’s drawn a nice soft barrier, so he ticks a lot of boxes.”

Shangri La Spring wins the Frank Packer Plate.

Shangri La Spring looks easily Bayliss’ best chance on Friday, but he liked the prospects of Sly Boots, By Choice and Kyeema on Saturday.

Sly Boots was $5.50 for his second-up assignment in the sixth after a third when resuming.

“It’s taken a while for the penny to drop with him, but I think this prep it definitely has,” he said.

“He’s the finished product and I think his first-up run was a reflection on that. I thought he ran super against horses who were sharper than him. I think he’s a great chance from a nice barrier, stepping up to the mile and he enjoys Randwick.”

Waterhouse-Bott stablemate By Choice ($7) is on debut in the third after two winning trials.

“I galloped her on Tuesday and she’s a beautiful, strong filly. Both trials have been terrific and I think she will run really well,” he said.

Kyeema ($7), for Nacim Dilmi in the first, was second when first-up on the Kensington track.

“I think he’s a great chance,” he said.

“His first-up run was terrific. He just got pipped on the post by an in-form horse who had the claim. With natural improvement from the run, up to 1400m, it looks a very winnable race for him.”