A BIG WIN IN THE ARCHER PUTS JAKE BAYLISS' NAME IN THE HEADLINES AT THE RIGHT TIME.

By Graham Potter | Thursday, May 8, 2025

Jake Bayliss, who partnered Lubrication to a stunning upset win in the $1 million The Archer at Rockhampton on Sunday, has been very much a work in progress in recent months since linking up with riding mentor Robbie Fradd.

Fradd enjoyed a highly successful career worldwide in the saddle himself, which took him from his native South Africa, where he was a multiple Group 1 winning rider, to many racing precincts around the world during which time Fradd, amongst many other wins, secured Group 1 success in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong (where he was champion jockey in the 1999/2000 season … a significant premiership win) and, of course in Australia, when he saluted aboard Tyzone in the 2020 Stradbroke.

The point being that Fradd has more than a little bit of knowledge and advice to pass on and Bayliss has accepted that input and worked hard to make it count and his win in The Archer was due reward for the effort he has been putting in.

The easy part is listening to the advice. The hard part is implementing it in fast moving, split second changing circumstances out on the track. Bayliss is doing both.

“An important part of what I was thinking when I was twice held up for a run in the straight in The Archer, comes back to the sessions I am having with my racing mentor Robbie Fradd” explained Bayliss.

“We have worked on a couple of things and one of those was not to try and force things to happen … but to be patient.

“I believe that patience has been key to something like my last ten winners. We have been working hard in that regard, and we are getting our reward. I feel like I can be patient on almost anything now. It’s easier when you are getting results.”

The timing of his win in The Archer has been good as it has helped thrust Bayliss’s name into the headlines just as the Queensland Winter Carnival is about to get into full stride.

Bayliss is hoping riding light over the Queensland Winter Carnival will open up options.

“I am working hard for the main trainers who are supporting me. There is not a lot set in stone for me at the carnival right now, but there are a couple of horses on my radar I am hoping will be key players in the carnival for me,” said Bayliss.

“I think the opportunity of trying to ride light during the carnival will open up the doors a bit. I will try and ride 51.5kg … 52kg for the Winter Carnival and, hopefully, that will open up more opportunities for me.”

Bayliss has already won Group 1 races in New Zealand and Singapore.

A Group 1 win in Brisbane over the carnival would be the cherry on the top for this proud Queenslander.

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