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

“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 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.”