 Australia Expert - Patrick Payne |
|
|---|---|
| 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. | |
Expert Column for Caulfield Cup Day (S1-1 to S1-3) (Patrick Payne)
S1-1 Caulfield Sprint
The speed map is key to assessing this race and PROPERTY is the one I think is best suited. An early strong pace will be beneficial for PROPERTY, with jockey Craig Williams to settle back in the field and charge home late. Has a great first-up record and well-weighted with 117lbs.
SNITTY KITTY will be up on the speed and will be hard to run down. She rated highly at her most recent win at the track and should be fitter this time. Great record at the track and has won three from four starts at the distance.
Quality sprinter FAATINAH has drawn to get a cosy run just behind the speed. Not sure he can pick up the leaders over 1,000m, but is another that will be running on strongly. Raced without luck last start and terrific second-up record.
BADAJOZ is racing in career best form and has the right barrier to be in the finish. Might not be as well-suited at 1,000m as PROPERTY or SNITTY KITTY, but will be strong late. Kerrin McEvoy to ride is a positive.
SUPER TOO steps up in class but has won two in a row. Genuine front-runner that could run a big race with a light weight.
SELECTIONS: 10. PROPERTY, 8. SNITTY KITTY, 1. FAATINAH, 5. BADAJOZ & 9. SUPER TOO
S1-2 Caulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup is one of the world’s great handicap races. This year’s renewal looks to be one full of intrigue and a host of chances. Gear changes and barriers could be crucial.
Former European stayer HARLEM is now trained by the David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig team. Profiles nicely with solid recent form, a light weight, great barrier and a big occasion rider in Chad Schofield. Blinkers on is a significant gear change.
Irish galloper JOHANNES VERMEER burst into calculations with a stunning performance at G1 Caulfield Stakes last Saturday at weight-for-age level. The booking of Ben Melham to ride is a bonus. Drawn well in barrier 2. Won at G1 level overseas and clearly has the class to win.
HARLEM's stablemate VENTURA STORM is in great form. Chased WINX home last time at Flemington and looks better suited here. Won a G1 race at this distance in Italy and has Damien Oliver to ride.
Classy galloper INFERENCE is trained by the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes team. Four runs at weight-for-age this time have him ready to hit a peak and looks better suited under handicap conditions. Barrier 11 is a slight negative but usually settles worse than midfield anyway. Blinkers on is a significant gear change.
Darren Weir-trained galloper HUMIDOR has been at the top of betting for this race for weeks. It might pay to forget his most recent run at Flemington and count on the magic of Weir to bring out his best. Unlikely to be favourite on the day, but is too classy to dismiss. Barrier 7 is ideal.
Lightweight chance ABBEY MARIE looks ready to produce best, so should be included.
SELECTIONS: 15. HARLEM, 3. JOHANNES VERMEER, 7. VENTURA STORM, 9. INFERENCE & 1. HUMIDOR
S1-3 Tristarc Stakes
Top class filly FOXPLAY is the one to beat. Has been racing in consistent form against horses like WINX and HAPPY CLAPPER, so she is sure to appreciate an easier race against her own sex. It is still a high class race, but barrier 4 and Kerrin McEvoy to ride should ensure a cosy run midfield and only needs luck to be in the finish.
SILENT SEDITION is a locally trained mare and despite a horror barrier she still looms as a major player. Her first-up run at Flemington was sound and her second-up form is very good. Likely to press forward from barrier 18 so is going to need luck in the run to win.
GLOBAL GLAMOUR has been kept fresh for this but has a lot of class. She has won at Caulfield before and seems sure to look for the lead from barrier 16, so again she will need luck to go her way early. GLOBAL GLAMOUR has a similar profile to FOXPLAY and SILENT SEDITION but lacks race fitness. What she does have in her favour is a better barrier, with barrier 4.
RAVI has drawn poorly in barrier 17 and that is a major negative on paper. She is a mare that seems to produce her best when given a cosy trail and is able to unleash her powerful finishing burst, but the barrier is going to make that scenario difficult. Can win, but is going to need a lot of luck.
SWAMPLAND is another locally trained filly that has continued to improve. She could not be considered in the same class as some of her rivals, but barrier 5 means she will get an advantage. Likely to settle midfield and can produce a strong finish, so has to be considered.
SELECTIONS: 1. FOXPLAY, 3. SILENT SEDITION, 2. GLOBAL GLAMOUR, 10. RAVI & 16. SWAMPLAND
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
