Craig Kerry
Rosehill trainer David Payne hopes a stronger and more mature Persian Wonder can handle the rise in trip in the group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) on Saturday and earn a group 1 shot alongside VRC Oaks contender Proxima Dea.
Payne has both in the $500,000 Gloaming on his home track as he tries to continue his purple patch with three-year-olds.
Leading the way has been Bangkok Hottie, which has gone for a spell after finishing third in the group 1 Flight Stakes last Saturday following wins in the Tea Rose and Furious Stakes.
Unbeaten filly Proxima Dea and last-start Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) winner Persian Wonder have also been part of the run and Payne hoped they could step up again on Saturday, then continue on to the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
Proxima Dea, a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess, ran down breakaway leader Doradus last start over 1800m in Midway grade, after wins over 1400m at Randwick in two-year-old grade then over 1600m in a Gosford class 1.
She has had one trial since her last start on August 29 as Payne plots a path to the group 1 Oaks (2500m) on November 5 at Flemington. She was a $4 (TAB) favourite for the Gloaming after drawing well in two with Zac Lloyd to ride. Stormy Marco and Genesis Runner (both $4.60) were next best in an open race.
“They are both going well, but it’s quite a competitive race,” Payne said of his pair.
“The filly is on an Oaks mission so it will be interesting to see how she shapes up against those colts, but she’s fit and she will get much further than that.
“Zac was happy with the trial. It was a good trial for a staying horse. Her next race will be the Spring Champion in the build up to the Oaks.”
While Proxima Dea looks primed for longer trips, Payne said Persian Wonder was on trial. His two career wins have come this preparation at 1200m and 1400m. His best result in six runs as a two-year-old was second in the group 3 Baillieu over 1400m, but he then finished sixth lengths away when 10th in the group 1 Champagne Stakes at 1600m.
He sliced through the pack late under Ash Morgan last start to win the Ming Dynasty and Payne believed he was better equipped to cope with the extra distance. The gelding, a $160,000 yearling, was a $15 hope from gate 10 with Morgan aboard again.
“He’s always given me the indication he wants the trip and he’s been finishing off strong over the 1400, so I think we’ll give them a crack,” said Payne, who won the Gloaming with Ace High in 2017.
“And if he does shape up, we’ll go to the Spring Champion as well, but he’s got to prove it over the 1800.
“He’s just needed a bit of luck and I think he’s got that bit stronger. He’s putting it together now.
“For a while, he was always too far back, couldn’t go with them, and then he would flash home too late.
“He has always been a nice horse, but just immature and doing a few things wrong. He’s more focused now.”
Meanwhile, Payne, who has about 14 in work, was excited about the autumn ahead with Bangkok Hottie.
“She’s a young filly, she hasn’t even turned three yet, so she needs to go and mature,” he said.
“We haven’t planned anything yet, but I think she will be a much stronger filly next prep. I’m sure she will get a mile, as long as we can give her a sit. We didn’t really have any cover there the other day and she hit the front a long way out. She will be a better filly once we can cover her up midfield.”
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