 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. | |
Expert Column for Caulfield Cup Day (S1-1 to S1-3) (Patrick Payne)
S1-1 Tristarc Stakes
Star Sydney-trained mare TYCOON TARA is racing in career best form. She has won three of her past four starts in Sydney so has a significant edge in race fitness on some key rivals. Looks the likely leader from an ideal barrier in a race where racing handy could be an advantage.
Another Sydney-trained mare FIRST SEAL returned from injury-enforced layoff with a satisfactory fifth behind TYCOON TARA last start. A classy type at her best, she is sure to be fitter this time also likely to push forward and settle in first four.
Godolphin’s mare PEARLS has been racing well in Sydney. Last start she ran third to TYCOON TARA at Rosehill and although having every chance she ran on nicely along the rails. The form from that race is excellent, the stable is flying and barrier 5 is a positive.
Under-rated Newcastle-trained mare DANISH TWIST returned from a strong autumn campaign with an excellent third over 1,200m at Randwick in a high rating race. Likes to settle off the speed, but has a powerful finish. Up in class and drawing barrier 13 is a blow, but must be included.
DENMAGIC has run well in some recent strong form races, distance is a positive and barrier 2 is ideal.
SELECTIONS: 2. TYCOON TARA, 1. FIRST SEAL, 3. PEARLS, 6. DANISH TWIST & 10. DENMAGIC
S1-2 Caulfield Cup
JAMEKA is a top class filly that has taken all before this preparation. She returned fresh at Caulfield on 13th August, stood out in the parade ring and ran a super race. Since then she has progressed in stunning fashion and consequently is the race favourite. Carrying just 116lbs looks a luxury, so sure to be hard to beat. May need a little luck in the first 400m slotting in from barrier 13.
Godolphin's SCOTTISH is another highly rated European galloper with similar form credentials to ARTICUS; running in quality middle distance races, and he seems likely to measure up here. The same stable had HARTNELL entered but elected to bypass the race with him and rely on SCOTTISH.
Highly rated European visitor ARTICUS is owned and trained in the same interests as 2014 Melbourne Cup winner PROTECTIONIST. Reported to be working well and overseas form profiles like an emerging middle distance galloper, so commands great respect here.
SIR ISAAC NEWTON is another interesting European visitor and must be respected. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and has solid form in top races in Great Britain and Ireland. Like ARTICUS and SCOTTISH, his form is mostly around 2,000m - which is the right type of form for Australian staying races.
Former European galloper EXOSPHERIC is now owned in Australia and trained by top horseman Lee and Anthony Freedman. Lightly raced and most of his form is solid around 2,000m. A last start fifth behind star stayer POSTPONED, beaten less than five lengths, would indicate that he is a horse of quality.
REAL LOVE, TALLY and SET SQUARE are from powerful Australian stables and set for this race, so must be respected.
SELECTIONS: 11. JAMEKA, 4. SCOTTISH, 9. ARTICUS, 5. SIR ISAAC NEWTON & 3. EXOSPHERIC
S1-3 Caulfield Sprint
Former star HELLBENT is finally realizing his potential under the care of top trainer Darren Weir. His most recent win at Caulfield was simply stunning and showed all the signs of a top class sprinter. Still on minimum weight which will see him very hard to beat. Barrier 7 looks ideal, as is likely to settle worse than midfield and charge home.
Talented mare WILD RAIN is ideally suited at this distance and from barrier 3 should either lead or box seat. Her recent form is solid including a last start third at weight-for-age level at Moonee Valley. May not have the class of HELLBENT but forward racing pattern is a huge plus.
Star sprinter LANKAN RUPEE returns after an injury enforced lay off. Reported to be in great condition for his return on his home track. If he runs to anywhere near his best form he will be very hard to beat.
OUR BOY MALACHI returned from a spell with a solid second in a quality race at Randwick last start. Has a great record of 18 wins from 25 starts, but has tended struggle at G1 level. Barrier 11 probably means a high possibility of being caught wide.
Emerging talent FAATINAH is trained by the in-form Hayes partnership and looks a great chance. Recent starts have been down the straight at Flemington where he has acquitted himself well. Barrier 10 looks tricky but still likely to press forward and settle outside the lead, so must be considered with what looks a good weight.
SELECTIONS: 5. HELLBENT, 4. WILD RAIN, 1. LANKAN RUPEE, 2. OUR BOY MALACHI & 3. FAATINAH
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