 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 Golden Slipper Day (S1) (Patrick Payne)
S1-1 Ranvet Stakes
GAILO CHOP looks the one to beat here, especially if the track is rain affected. His recent form in Melbourne has been top class. He is a bold and brave on-pace runner so barrier 4 is ideal. Judging by his appearance in the pre-race parade ring at Flemington two weeks ago, he looks ready to peak.
SINGLE GAZE is a racing in super form as indicated by her recent runs in Melbourne, especially her latest terrific effort when she was caught wide all the way and finished just behind GAILO CHOP. She also has soft form but probably not as good as GAILO CHOP on wet ground.
PRIZED ICON is racing well but struggling to win. Champion jockey Hugh Bowman has been booked to ride and step up 2,000m suits. He seems sure to run well, his inability to win is a concern. Did run second to WINX two starts ago.
CLASSIC UNIFORM is the likely leader and must be respected. Beat HAPPY CLAPPER at weight for age level last spring over 2,000m, so he is a serious horse. His soft form is strong, so he must be respected.
HARLEM, VENTURA STORM and THE TAJ MAHAL all ran well last start. However their best form is on firmer surfaces, so the track condition will be crucial to their chances.
SELECTIONS: 1. GAILO CHOP, 8. SINGLE GAZE, 4. PRIZED ICON, 2. CLASSIC UNIFORM & 3. HARLEM
S1-2 George Ryder Stakes
WINX will dominate the betting here. She seems to be racing as well as ever and relishes soft conditions, so I expect her to win easily again.
HAPPY CLAPPER returned from a spell with a dominant first-up win in the G1 Canterbury Stakes. He is a top class performer and while his best form is on firmer surfaces he has been competitive with WINX previously.
KEMENTARI is the new ‘boom’ galloper in Sydney and has captured the imagination of racing fans with two dominant wins this time in. However, this is a massive challenge against WINX. On the plus side, the distance looks ideal, he has good wet track form and can quicken, so he must be considered.
Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton rides INVINCIBLE GEM and he might fill a place. She doesn’t look good enough to trouble the top horses though.
SELECTIONS: 4. WINX, 1. HAPPY CLAPPER, 6. KEMENTARI & 5. INVINCIBLE GEM
S1-3 Rosehill Guineas
ACE HIGH looms as the one to beat here. Last spring he won the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington and has returned in great form. All three runs since he returned have been terrific. He is a proven stayer, so the step up in distance looks ideal.
Top Victorian trainer Darren Weir brings CLIFF'S EDGE to Sydney for the first time. The stable is racing well and the fact that he has had ideal preparation brings him into contention. A key factor for him is that he has already had a recent run at 2,040m.
D’ARGENTO could be a big improver. His early career runs indicated he was a horse looking to run over a distance and he gets his chance here. Hadn't done much wrong in five starts, winning his first three before sound efforts at his last two runs.
VILLERMONT is a horse I have always liked and profiles nicely for this race. He should be ready to peak following two recent runs against top company in Melbourne.
FURORE is an interesting runner from the powerful Kris Lees stable. Unbeaten in four starts on country tracks and he has been super impressive. Even though he faces a big jump in class, he must be respected.
SELECTIONS: 1. ACE HIGH, 4. CLIFF’S EDGE, 8. D’ARGENTO, 9. VILLERMONT & 15. FURORE
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-3:
Banker – 1. ACE HIGH
Selections – 4. CLIFF’S EDGE, 8. D’ARGENTO, 9. VILLERMONT & 15. FURORE
S1-4:
Banker – 2. SANTOS
Selections – 15. SEABROOK, 5. PERFORMER, 1. WRITTEN BY & 10. SUNLIGHT
S1-4 Golden Slipper
SANTOS has won two-from-two this time in and has nicely drawn in barrier 7. Trialled strongly last week when ridden back in the field.
SEABROOK profiles nicely having been brought along slowly by trainer Mick Price. Each of her three career runs have been good and her dominant win at Randwick on 3rd March has stamped her as a genuine winning chance. Barrier 12 should suit and Damien Oliver to ride only enhances her chances.
PERFORMER lost his chances when he threw jockey Hugh Bowman off last start, but trialled brilliantly when ridden off the speed and wearing blinkers for the first time since then. Barrier 16 is not ideal but this colt has shown a touch of extra quality since his first start.
WRITTEN BY has won four-from-four including an emphatic G1 Blue Diamond Stakes win. A long preparation and one-week back up are a concern. Drawn to get a perfect run from barrier 4.
SUNLIGHT also backs up from last week and enters this race having already won five times. Has been the standout 2YO so far, but the question is whether or not she can maintain her form after racing so much.
SELECTIONS: 2. SANTOS, 15. SEABROOK, 5. PERFORMER, 1. WRITTEN BY & 10. SUNLIGHT
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 2. SANTOS, 15. SEABROOK & 5. PERFORMER
S1-5: Multiple – 3. IN HER TIME, 2. JUNGLE EDGE & 8. SUPIDO
S1-6: Multiple – 3. SUGAR BELLA, 10. MISS QUE & 4. TULIP
S1-5 The Galaxy
IN HER TIME is clearly the one to beat. Her form at this level is fantastic, but it is largely all on top of the ground. She has trialled brilliantly leading into this race and having Zac Purton booked to ride is a massive bonus.
JUNGLE EDGE is under-rated, well drawn and loves soft conditions. If it rains it helps his chances, the wetter the better for this 7YO. Luck in running and track conditions will play a big role in this race and he should get both to suit.
SUPIDO was well beaten in this race last year but has finished just behind the placegetters in two high quality G1 sprints at his last two starts. Gets top jockey Craig Williams on to ride.
VIRIDINE creates interest because he is lightly raced and has a light weight. He ran fifth in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes last year at Flemington, so must be respected.
SNITTY KITTY and LADY ESPRIT have both been in great form in Melbourne, but appear to be better if the track is not too heavy.
SELECTIONS: 3. IN HER TIME, 2. JUNGLE EDGE, 8. SUPIDO, 13. VIRIDINE & 10. SNITTY KITTY
S1-6 Birthday Card Stakes
SUGAR BELLA is flying and looms as the one to beat. She has won her last four starts and has soft form. She has drawn in barrier 3 and that could be a concern depending on the pattern by that time of the day. If it is rain affected, the inside part of the track may not be the best place to be.
MISS QUE ran second to SUGAR BELLA last start and was brave in defeat. They both made their runs together out wide and she was only grabbed late. SUGAR BELLA has to concede MISS QUE weight this time, so expect a competitive finish.
TULIP is a high quality filly with strong form credentials. Barrier 18 looks terrible on paper but by this time of the day could be a bonus. Best form is on firmer surfaces and comes back to race against her own sex.
FARAWAY TOWN has returned from a spell in good form and has Hugh Bowman booked to ride. Being drawn out wide might suit and expect her to be strong late.
FRAGONARD is racing well and has wet track form. Craig Williams to ride is a bonus, but barrier 2 might not be. Either way she is likely to get the right run and every chance.
SELECTIONS: 3. SUGAR BELLA, 10. MISS QUE, 4. TULIP, 2. FARAWAY TOWN & 8. FRAGONARD
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