Ready to match dam as Group One winner

IT’S the kind of assignment he was bred for and on Saturday night Percy Bailey will be ready to make the most of his opportunity.

By multiple premiership winning stallion Art Major, the three-year-old is from former topline mare Lucky Elsie.

Successful at 21 of her 51 starts, with 12 placings also to her credit, Lucky Elsie was triumphant in the Group One Ladyship Mile at Harold Park in 2006.

Proving he has inherited his dam’s ability, Percy Bailey has qualified for the New South Wales Derby at Club Menangle.

The Michael Leary-trained gelding earned a berth in the Blue Riband when runner-up to hot favourite General Jujon during last weekend’s heats.

“His dam was a Group One mare and hopefully he can win at that level too,” Leary said. “We breed and race them ourselves, which makes it all the more satisfying to see them in races such as the Derby.

“He was second in the Group One Bathurst Gold Crown last year, but this is another step up again.

“We are up against some super horses but he will be doing his best.”

To be driven by Will Rixon – who is also bred to be a Group One winner – Percy Bailey has drawn ideally in the pole.

Despite the fact he hasn’t finished further back than second during his seven starts, Percy Bailey is among the outsiders at $21 with TAB Fixed Odds.

Victoria Derby winner Line Up heads the market at $2.90 from barrier eight.

The Anthony Butt-prepared colts moves into six once the emergencies are taken out of the equation.

“I’m very happy with his draw,” Leary said. “I really don’t know where he will end up in the run, but hopefully from the draw he can get into a good position.

“This is the toughest field he has been against but he will be competitive.

“There are about three or four in that top bracket and then the others, but I don’t think you can say any of them can’t win it with the right luck.”