 Australia Expert - Patrick Payne |
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| Patrick Payne is currently a trainer in Australia and a well known former jockey in Hong Kong. He is a member of an extraordinary racing family comprising of eight successful jockeys. Having various stints between 1994 and 2004 in Hong Kong, he achieved his highest strike rate of 14.8%. As a champion jockey with a career that began in 1990, Payne rode more than 1000 winners, with 19 Group One race wins, including the Cox Plate. In 2007, he acquired his Australian trainer license, winning races such as Mornington Cup and Adelaide Cup. | |
Overseas Expert Column for Sir Rupert Clarke Day (Patrick Payne)
S2-1 Caulfield Guineas Prelude
My top three selections have drawn well and I think they can dominate the race. LONG JOHN won well in a Listed event over 1400m at Flemington last start and given that he should be fitter for that run he should be hard to beat as he looks open to even further improvement.
Second in the Blue Diamond Stakes and fifth in the Golden Slipper Stakes against the country’s best juveniles last season, FAST 'N' ROCKING has the credentials to take a hand in this although you have to forgive a flat run last time out in Sydney. He has a good record at this track and is well drawn for Hayes and Prebble.
CHARLIE BOY looked a strong Caulfield Guineas chance when easily catering for a good field in the G2 Danehill Stakes over 1200m on his return to the track earlier this month and he should enjoy a fruitful 3-y-o season.
MARWOOD is an exciting type with two very impressive wins in provincial Victoria. He could be anything, but he has an awkward barrier to contend with and this is by far his toughest mission yet.
SELECTIONS: 4. LONG JOHN, 3. FAST 'N' ROCKING, 2. CHARLIE BOY & 8. MARWOOD
S2-2 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
A wide-open G1 handicap in which you could make a strong winning case for at least half a dozen runners, but I suspect the consistent SOLZHENITSYN will give his supporters a good run for their money. He returned with a nice run to be second in Sydney two weeks ago and a repeat of that effort from a good draw gives him as good a chance as any.
The fast improving SPEEDINESS must also be considered judged on his excellent victory from a top cast of sprinters in a G3 over 1200m at Flemington last start. Trainer Colin Scott feels he is well up to winning a G1 this season and this could be his chance.
FERLAX won the G1 Australian Guineas earlier this year so there is no doubt in his class. He ran very well second-up after a break at this course and distance behind the brilliant ATLANTIC JEWEL and ought to come on for that run.
An outsider to look out for could be LUCKYGRAY, a G1 winner in Perth in the past. A quick glance at his form might suggest that he hasn’t been in great form of late, but it is also true that he has endured some torrid passages in very strong races and he could represent some value with more luck in running.
SELECTIONS:3. SOLZHENITSYN, 9. SPEEDINESS, 5. FERLAX & 4. LUCKYGRAY
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