Sydney Swan and former Terang-Mortlake footballer Lewis Taylor is ready to again launch cross-code to get the heart rate pumping, with the talented small forward hoping to add Saturday's Terang Co-Op Pacing Cup to his trophy room.
Marg Lee trained and Jason Lee driven Code Bailey will likely launch from gate six at 9.35pm the favourite to win a second Trots Country Cup, having announced himself on the big stage with a crushing all-the-way win in the January 3 Bendigo Cup.
"It got the heart going when he was coming down the straight that's for sure, it was very exciting," Taylor told the Trots Talk radio show of the Bendigo win.
Code Bailey followed up with a fifth placing in the PETstock Ballarat Pacing Cup when he battled manfully in the breeze and finished within four metres of winner A Gs White Socks, his primary rival in Saturday's Terang Cup.
While Code Bailey has the advantage of a front row draw over the Kiwi on Saturday night, there will only be one horse on his outside - Kerryn Manning's South Australian Cup winner Pat Stanley - and A Gs White Socks' gate nine draw gives him a nice trail behind likely quick beginner Little Peanut.
"There's definitely a bit of quality," Taylor said. "We've drawn the six, so hopefully if we can get a bit of luck, get to the front and get a good position - it seems to be when we get to the front he seems to hold on all right.
"(It will) be exciting, I'll definitely be tuning in and hopefully a bit of luck and we can get a good run at it and you never know what will happen. He's been going pretty well Code Bailey, it's exciting and hopefully he can get the result."
There are plenty of reasons to think he can, including his fourth placing in the Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup at his last start, a ride that's been made all the more enjoyable for Taylor because he's been able to share with a big syndicate of friends.
"I was down there (at Bendigo) and (co-owner) Darcy Gardiner from the Brisbane Lions was there as well, I'm great family friends with the Lees and Cravens and when I get a chance it's always great to catch up," Taylor said.
"It's fantastic. Bit of a thrill to be honest. We caught up at the Hunter Cup a little bit ago. I'm very close with all of them, great to catch up, have a chat and then to watch the horse go around is fantastic."
And there's sure to be an extra bit of buzz at Dalvue Raceway on Saturday if the local favourite takes out the big one.
"Everyone back home usually supports these sorts of things, hopefully he can go all right and get a good run at it."
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