An increase in distance did not faze Final Siren who bolted in to win the Tabtouch Mungrup Stud Sprint at Mount Barker on Sunday.
Recognised as a 1000m specialist, Final Siren handled the step up to 1300m with class, giving trainer Rebecca Bayliss an emotional and memorable victory.
Final Siren was one of four horses in the Mungrup Stud Sprint for Bayliss and despite a betting drift, the son of I’m All The Talk left no one in doubt he was the best horse on the day.
Thrown into the race after a change of heart by Bayliss, Final Siren was given a perfect ride from Lucy Fiore and defeated Playing Rio by two lengths with stable mate Incredible Power third.
Sitting on the back of pacesetter Espirito, Final Siren, sent out a $5.70 chance, soared to the front early in the straight and had the the race shot to pieces and well within his grasp.
After a runner-up finish to Premium Choice at Ascot two weeks ago, Bayliss said the lead up to Mount Barker’s feature sprint was anything but plain sailing for Final Siren
She seriously thought about by passing the event but changed her mind after being encouraged to have a crack at redemption by her partner, Mark Bayliss.
“The horse is very special to us,” Bayliss said.
“We’ve had a bit of trouble with him leading up to this, he hasn’t raced at his best.
“I was going to put him out for this, but Mark said to me let’s just have a go.
“We didn’t know what to expect.”
Final Siren has been the stable flag bearer for Bayliss since making his debut almost a year back on his home track at Albany.
He showed immediate promise by winning his first three races including his debut by 5 ½ lengths.
He’s also recorded top wins in Perth at Ascot and Belmont.
From 12 starts he’s amassed six wins and three placings for $262,857 in prizemoney.
Bayliss said Final Siren’s best win of his career goes a long way towards easing the disappointment of her losing the 2023 Mungrup Stud Sprint.
Bayliss’ representative Kholi was first past the post but was relegated to third position when stewards deemed, he caused interference and upheld a protest.
“The owners in this horse were in Kholi who lost a protest two years ago,” Bayliss said.
“So, it’s very special for all of us.
“We know he’s a good horse.
“We knew he was that good.”
After pre-race doubts, Bayliss plans to keep going with Final Siren and after winning his first race beyond 1100m, she says more options are open to her.
“As long as he pulls up good, we know we can start looking for something a bit further,” Bayliss said.
Final Siren gave Fiore the first leg of a double after she closed out the meeting on King’s Parade.
After her first sit on Final Siren, she was suitably impressed.
“When the horse when out in front I thought beautiful, I’ll sit behind and try and hold him together for as long as possible because he might be suspect at the distance,” Fiore said.
“But he wasn’t at all and was super, way too good for them.”