Newmarket Handicap hero Redkirk Warrior (GB) renewed his love affair with Flemington straight when he snapped the six-race winning streak of champion sprinter Redzel in Saturday's $750,000 Group I Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington.
Settled back near last under Regan Bayliss, Redkirk Warrior (GB) stormed down the outside fence to edge out Redzel (Snitzel) by a short-head with one and a quarter lengths back to Missrock (Fastnet Rock) in third. (photos Grant Courtney ).
Due to defend his Newmarket Handicap title, Redkirk Warrior (GB) is a chance of heading back home for a visit to Royal Ascot in June with the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on the final day a likely target.
''I am going to talk to (owner) Edmund Lee. After the Newmarket, he doesn't fire in Sydney and he loves the straight He's a real freak up the straight," Hayes said
Hayes said he was happy for Bayless who had suffered the wrath of the stable after a few sub-par rides.
"I thought he was riding out of sorts, I am one of Regan's biggest fans and have given him huge support, I just felt that in his riding he had lost his way a little bit," Hayes said.
"He missed the start on one of my horses and was up outside the leader and one of my golden rules is if you miss the start you join in late, not early.
"Anyone that rides for me knows I go off my tree if jockeys do that, I don't care if you get beaten running on if you miss the start.
"Regan knows that better than anyone and that just told me that he needed a break and a look at himself and a bit of a think.
"All sportsmen make mistakes at different times and he broke a team rule."
One of 5 stakes winner by the Group I Juddmonte Stakes winner Notnowcato (Inchinor) Redkirk Warrior (GB) is a half-brother to six winners out of the unraced Selkirk mare Flag a half-sister to the Listed stakes winner Armenian Dancer.
